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Senate passes legislation expanding definition of domestic violence
The state Senate passed two bills March 8 intended to curb abuse in family and intimate relationships by expanding the list of crimes that qualify as domestic violence.
Senate seeks limits on reproductive rights
The Senate passed bills on March 3 that would ban the use of taxpayer money for abortion insurance, require the disclosure of the health risks associated with donating a human egg, and penalize the destruction of human embryos in non-therapeutic research.
Legislation would lengthen divorce wait time
Social conservatives say Arizona should stand up for marriage by making it take longer to untie the knot. A Senate committee on Feb. 17 approved a bill to triple to 180 days the state's current 60-day period that courts must wait before considering a divorce request.
Harper proposal targets adoptions by homosexuals
Sen. Jack Harper said he intended to craft a law that would stop "activist judges" from taking children away from heterosexual couples and giving custody to gay people. But the measure he is sponsoring would have a much broader impact on Arizona's adoption laws.
‘I hate this bill and I vote aye’
Last year, Sen. Jack Harper gave his word that he would vote for a bill to restrict notary publics from notarizing documents that would present a conflict of interest. He made good on his promise by voting for it in committee. But when the bill failed there, Harper said he was relieved that it didn't pass. The situation illustrates the fact that lawmakers sometimes vote for measures they don’t n[...]
Brewer reaching out to rank-and-file lawmakers
Gov. Jan Brewer's budget proposal will be a hard sell to Democrats. And some provisions, such as her temporary sales tax increase, will be difficult for Republicans to embrace.
Panel OKs mandatory residency checks, ban on day labor
A Senate committee approved a bill on Jan. 20 that would force law enforcement officials across the state to check the residency status of people with whom they come in contact, penalize activities such as seeking day labor, and allow residents to sue local governments that provide sanctuary to illegal immigrants.
Authorities say tougher penalties needed to make serious dent in drunken boating
It was a scene straight from an action movie. A couple had their boat out on Saguaro Lake in September when the husband, who was driving, noticed a boat heading directly for them. At the wheel of the other boat: a man authorities say was well over the legal limit.
Despite high ranking in accidents, Arizona one of few states with no boater-education law
PARKER - La Paz County Sheriff's Lt. Alan Nelson guides his patrol boat across the choppy waters of the Colorado River, keeping a careful watch for those breaking the law or endangering themselves and others. He approaches a small boat towing a tube and cuts back on the throttle, addressing the seven people aboard. "How old are the kids?" he shouts.
Vanderpool wants to keep leading DPS
Roger Vanderpool hopes his performance as director of the state's largest police force will speak louder than his political history - two elections as Pinal County Sheriff as a Democrat and an appointment to his current post by a Democratic governor - when Arizona's Republican governor decides who will lead the department for the next five years.
After two judges backed out, Daughton got abortion case
Critics of an injunction to stop a series of abortion restrictions from taking effect are questioning how and why the case was assigned to three Maricopa County Superior Court judges. The first two judges removed themselves from hearing the case – one was vacationing out of the country and the other gave no reason. The third judge, who came out of retirement to take the case, issued an injunctio[...]
Lawmakers react to injunction on abortion laws
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge has granted a preliminary injunction against new state laws that place restrictions on abortion. Although the decision has been embraced by state Democrats, the Republican co-sponsor of both bills said it's another case of courts infringing on the territory of the Legislature.
