Authorities praise new strict penalties on child sex predators
Key Points: Republican lawmakers and law enforcement officials celebrated the signing of Senate Bill 1585 The new law allows predators who are caught soliciting undercover officers to be charged with […]
No progress on state budget amid Prop. 123 hangup
Key Points: Hobbs won’t talk about budget yet Governor wants Prop. 123 extension settled Lawmakers remain on mid-session break Republicans at the Legislature have addressed most of the bills they […]
Gov. Hobbs approves cryptocurrency regulation and reserve fund
Key Points: New legislation would help establish a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency One law would establish a cryptocurrency reserve fund Another seeks to regulate cryptocurrency kiosk operators Gov. Katie Hobbs […]
Hobbs signs utility financing bill, foes say legal challenge could follow
Key Points: Gov. Hobs signs bill allowing utilities to transfer debt to bonds Bill was written by Arizona Public Service Opponents say more oversight of securitization process is needed Gov. […]
Legislature approves warning signs for hotels that host homeless people
Key Points The bill requires hotels to post signs stating that the facility serves homeless people Supporters say the measure is necessary to protect families and consumers Opponents say mixed […]
Education groups vow to campaign against school choice on Prop. 123
Key Points: Republicans likely to unveil final Proposition 123 language on May 19 Democrats, education groups oppose tying school choice to teacher pay proposal Opponents warn of lawsuits, campaigns if […]
Recall effort against 4 GOP lawmakers continues, despite passage of funding bill
Key Points: Parents of disabled children have formed a group to recall four GOP lawmakers There’s only been one successful recall of a sitting state legislator in Arizona Recall efforts […]
Rural Arizona understaffed, underfunded ahead of wildfire season
Key Points: Rural fire districts are asking state lawmakers for more funding to fix staffing issues Voters had an opportunity in 2022 to fund fire districts but voted against it […]
Warning signs could soon be posted at hotels that host homeless people
Key Points: A measure to require hotels to post signs if they host homeless guests passed the Senate Opponents of the measure say it is dehumanizing to label homeless people […]
Hospitals could be required to record the citizenship status of patients
Key Points: House approved bill would require hospitals to ask about patients’ immigration status The bill’s sponsor says its to collect data on the cost of health care for illegal […]
Abandoned Marana prison sold back to original owner for use as private prison
Editor’s note: The total population of the town of Marana, Arizona, was corrected to 63,000. Key Points: The Legislature rejected a proposal to sell the abandoned Marana prison to the […]
Bill bans voting centers, Dems say it targets minorities, rural areas
Key Points: Voting centers and early voting locations for primary and general elections would be banned under the bill The bill would also limit an election precinct to a maximum […]