Legislative schedule - week starting 1/11/2026

Hide your children and small animals - the Arizona State Legislature is back in session.

It may be the first week of the session, but the Rs are already starting with the Culture War/War on America bills.

Schedules can, and frequently do, change at any moment when the legislature is in session.  So pay attention.

Note: HHR refers to a hearing room in the House building; SHR refers to one in the Senate building.

Note2: Generally, I'll only specify bills that look to spread propaganda.  Other bills may be more conventionally bad (think: corrupt or other misuses of public monies and/or authority).  My recommendation is that if an agenda covers an area of interest to you, read the entire agenda.

Note3: Each chamber's respective Rules Committee meets on Monday, the House's in HHR4, generally at 1 p.m. and the Senate's in Senate Caucus Room 1, generally also at 1 p.m.  Both committees serve as rubber stamps for bills leadership wants to be advanced and gatekeepers for measures that leadership wants stopped.

Note4: Meeting start times may be listed, but are flexible.  Before journeying to the Capitol or viewing the meeting online, verify the start time.

Note5: Watch for strikers, or strike everything amendments.  Those involve inserting language that replaces the entirety of a bill.  Those can be introduced at any time and can make a previously harmless bill become a very bad one. 

Monday, 1/12 - Nada.  The chambers' respective Rules Committees aren't even scheduled to meet as no bills have been approved by the other committees yet.

Tuesday, 1/13 

-

Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee of Reference (RAGE COR) meets at 10 a.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: no bills; four sunset reviews and one "performance audit review."

Senate Natural Resources meets at 10:30 a.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: no bills; one presentation from the state's Water Infrastructure Finance Authority.

Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference meets at 10:45 a.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: no bills; one sunset review.

House Commerce (meeting as its Committee of Reference) meets at 2 p.m.in HHR5.  On the agenda: no bills; four sunset reviews and one review of a performance audit.  Looks to be a rerun of the RAGE COR meeting.

House Education meets at 2 p.m. in HHR1. On the agenda: one bill and three sunset reviews (they'll be acting acting as their Committee of Reference).

House Natural Resources, Energy and Water meets at 2 p.m. in HHR3.  On the agenda: five water-related bills sponsored by Rep. Gail Griffin that read as if by an industry lobbyist.  And one presentation from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona.

On Wednesday, 1/14 

-

House Judiciary meets at 9 a.m.in HHR4.  On the agenda: five bills and a sunset review of the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board.  All of the bills are bad, though the worst may be HB2043, a proposal to make killing an unborn child part of the felony murder statute.

Senate Judiciary meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR2. On the agenda: 13 bills, mostly bad, all from the fetid minds of Sens. Wendy Rogers, John Kavanagh, and Mark Finchem. Rogers chairs this committee, Kavanagh is the vice chair, and Finchem is a member, so this committee should be "colorful" (read: "hate-filled") through the entire legislative session.  They're also scheduled to receive a presentation about Bar Association discipline from three interesting people who seem to be familiar with the topic - Rachel Alexander, April Sponsel, and Star Moffatt.

To misquote Yoda of "Star Wars" fame: "The 'woe is us' is strong with this trio."

House Ways & Means and Senate Finance (the Senate equivalent of House WM) hold a joint meeting at 2 p.m. in HHR1.  On the agenda: two bills - HB2153 and its Senate analog, SB1106, about conforming tax law in AZ to changes in federal law.

Interestingly, the bills propose to add a budget-busting provision to AZ law (while this snippy is from the Senate bill, the House bill has the same provision) -

Legislative schedule - week starting 1/4/2026

This week is "the calm before the storm" as the Arizona legislature is still out of session this week but will reconvene next week.  This coming week is commonly referred to as "Hell Week."  An explanation of sorts is below.

There's only one official committee meeting on the schedule this coming week.

 On Monday, 1/ 5 - Nada.

On Tuesday, 1/6 

-

Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Access to Breakthrough Mental Health Therapies meets at 10 a.m. in SHR2.  On the agenda: no bills; four presentations.

On Wednesday, 1/7 and Thursday, 1/8 - Nada.

"Hell Week" is the week before the legislative session.  Lobbyists, under AZ law, are specifically forbidden from making campaign contributions to sitting legislators during the legislative session. 

From ARS 41-1234.01 -

They get around that restriction by holding parties/events before the session and created to funnel money to sitting state legislators (not a partisan thing - while most of the recipients of lobbyist largesse are Rs, some Ds attend those parties, too).  While those cash parties are easily as much a part of legislative life as committee meeting, they won't appear on any legislative calendar.

Another way for lobbyists to evade the law is to buy "donate to" candidates before they become legislators.  Those transactions can happen at any time.

Legislative schedule - week starting 12/28/2025

This is New Year's week, so there's nothing going on at the AZ state legislature.

I expect the following week to be busier, as the 2026 session of the AZ starts on 1/12/2026.

Of course, I could be wrong (shockingly, it DOES happen.  On rare occasion. ☺

Last year, during the week before the start of the session, there was one meeting -

In 2024, during the period, there were five meetings - 

Either way, the week before the start of the legislative session should be best described as "The Calm Before The Storm."

Note: As of this writing, legislators have "prefiled" 183 measures for the coming session -

Like sands through the hourglass, the Arizona State Legislature will return. It's inevitable.

Something else is inevitable, too - They won't do their job, starting on 1/12/2026.

Thus far, they've introduced 182 measures (bills or memorials/resolutions).  Most of those won't be approved by both chambers and of those that do, many won't make it past the governor's veto.

Some fall into the "Culture War" category (aka - "the GOP's War on America") -

Some fall into The "Fear the Other" subcategory (Rep. John Gillette's [R-Shameless Bigot] HCM2001)

Some into the "Anti Early Voting" subcategory (Rep Alexander Kolodin's [R-Running for AZ Secretary of State in order to upend elections] HCR2001)

Some into the "Anti LGBTQ+" subcategory (Rep Selina Bliss' [R- I thought she was less insane than the others. I was wrong) HCR2003)

Some into the "Anti-Vaxxer" subcategory (Rep Nick Kupper's [R-Don't Know Much About Him, But I'll Have to Start Paying More Attention) HB2005)

Some into the "Anti Choice" subcategory (Bliss' HB2043)

Some into the "Anti Public Education" subcategory (Rep. David Livingston's [R-Heavily Armed] HB2075)

Some into the "Anti Poor People" subcategory (Sen. John Kavanagh's [Center for AZ Policy's Water Carrier] SB1002)

Some into the "Anti Fluoride" subcategory (Sen. Janae Shamp's [R-Just Plain Nuts] SB1019]

Some into the "Anti Science" subcategory (Sen. David Farnworth's [R-Foisting His Fundie Religious Dogma of the Rest of Society] SB1025)

Some into the "Trump Worship" subcategory (Shamp's SB1070)

...You get the idea.  Republican legislators will do a LOT of Culture War preening in 2026.  It's an election year, and they want to win any primaries.

GOP state legislators aren't ALL about Culture War issues, though.

Rep. Gail Griffin (R-W2 or 1099?) has already introduced her usual spate of bills to protect and even enhance industry profits, not to help the people of AZ.

Sen. John Kavanagh is a multitasker - he hates pretty much EVERYTHING.  Including public disclosure of misdeeds by scofflaw legislators.  In addition to his various Culture War measures, he's introduced SB1022, intended to stop disclosure of images from "photo enforcement systems."

He *really* doesn't like it when legislators are shown to be hypocrites who believe that laws don't apply to them.

He's also introduced a "protect the wealthy" measure.  His SB1033 seeks to exempt the sales of vacation homes from municipal sales tax.

Of course, some of the proposals seem to be mildly contradictory.  Kupper's HB2059 seeks to remove speed limits, under certain circumstances, while Kavanagh's SB1073 seeks to impose them, under certain circumstances.

To be fair, the bills may not be totally contradictory - their "circumstances" aren't the same.

Lastly, legislators are specifically barred from creating legislation that is targeted at a specific municipality.  One of the ways they get around this requirement is by being hyper-specific, crafting language in a bill that doesn't mention a municipality by name but can only apply to one city.  Bliss' HB2080 seems to be a very example of this.  The language from her bill:  "In a city or town with a population of more than two thousand five hundred persons but less than ten thousand persons, whose population growth rate did not exceed an average of two percent per year for the ten-year period before the most recent United States decennial census and whose current general plan was approved by the voters..."

Hmmm...

Legislative schedule - week starting 12/21/2025

 This is Christmas week, so there's nothing going on at the AZ state legislature.

Legislative schedule - week starting 12/14/2025

There's one meeting on the legislature's schedule next week.  I admit, I thought there would be more during the last full week before Christmas.  I was wrong (It happens, just not often. 😁 )

On Monday, 12/15 and Tuesday, 12/16 - Nada.

On Wednesday, 12/17 

-

Obesity Treatment Study Committee meets at 12 p.m. (noon) in SHR1.  On the agenda: no bills; one presentation, discussion, and some recommendations.

On Thursday, 12/18 - Nada.

Legislative schedule - week starting 12/7/2025

There is some intersession activity at the state legislature this week as they careen toward the 2026 session.

On Monday, 12/8 

-

Joint Legislative Audit Committee meets at 1 p.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: no bills; reports on special audits of one state agency and four schools and/or districts and assorted other items.

On Tuesday, 12/9 - Nada.

On Wednesday, 12/10 

-

Vulnerable System Study Committee meets at 1 p.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: no bills.

On Thursday, 12/11 - Nada.

Ol' Reliable, State Sen. John Kavanagh (R-LD3), is back for yet another legislative session

Of course, that may not be a good thing, as he's getting his hate on for poor people, elections, and public schools.

His SB1002 is all about adding verification requirements to TANF/SNAP fund disbursements and prosecuting certain recipients.

His SB1003 proposes to add one phrase to election law in many places (re: canvasses of elections) - 

"ACKNOWLEDGE WITHOUT PREJUDICE"

His using the phrase "without prejudice" probably doesn't mean "without regard to a candidate's ethnicity, race, gender, or gender preference."

Nope.  Not from one of the Center for Arizona Policy's (CAP) favorite legislators (he's already stated he wishes to propose sending CAP's anti-LGBTQ bathroom measure directly to the voters and bypass Governor Katie Hobbs' veto pen).

My guess is that the phrase is his way of saying "if voters don't the way we want, we'll just say the results don't count."

His SB1004 proposes to further the ESA (school voucher) budget-busting scam by mandating that students whose parents are recipients of ESAs be allowed to participate in/try out for "interscholastic activities"  (aka - sports) in the school district that covers the area of their residence (with certain exceptions).

While I don't believe that people, in this case, students, should be punished for the actions of others, neither should they be rewarded.

Bottom line: the parents of the students decided to weaken public schools in order to enhance their personal financial positions, and their children should not be rewarded for that.

Not allowing them to participate in public school sports (et. al.) doesn't qualify as "punishment" because it doesn't take away anything from them that they already have.

Kavanagh is consistent - my guess is that he'll propose many anti-poor people, anti-choice, anti-LGBTQ, and anti-public education bills...as well as one (or more!) bill that's both pro-police and anti society.

Legislative schedule - week starting 11/30/2025

While there is nothing on the legislature's schedule at this point, that may change. We're in the post-Thanksgiving and pre-Christmas period - there are many intersession meetings now.

In other words, keep an eye out for changes.

AZ legislature 2026: And the first one out of the gate is...

In normal years, sitting legislators usually don't start "prefiling" measures for an upcoming session until December of the prior year.

This year, however, some members have already started filing measures.

While it is still early (obviously), the measures offer some insight into the content of the coming session.

The 2026 session of the Arizona State Legislature will be loaded with MAGA/anti-democracy/anti-society propaganda.

In the House -

The first "Concurrent Resolution" (intended to bypass a gubernatorial veto and go directly to the voters) is HCR2001, prefiled by Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R-LD3) and co-sponsored by a rogues' gallery of extremist Rs on 11/15.  Among other things, it would serve to greatly reduce mail-in voting.  One HCR has been filed thus far.

The first "Memorial" (aka - a love letter to Congress, asking them to do something in particular about a specific topic) is HM2001 prefiled by Rep. Khyl Powell (R-LD14) on 11/17.  It asks Congress to withdraw the United States from the UN.  Other HMs from Powell seek to go after the International Monetary Fund, the Bureau of Industry and Security, and the US-Mexico-Canada agreement   Four HMs have been filed thus far.

The first "Bill" (a proposed change to AZ law) is HB2001, prefiled by Rep. Selina Bliss (R-LD1) on 11/17.  It proposes to all but eliminate early voting.  20 HBs have been filed thus far.

There is also some "sneaky" language in the HB2001 -

I expect that if bill fails or otherwise doesn't move forward, this particular language [removal] will be inserted into another bill.

In the Senate -

The first Concurrent Resolution is SCR1001, prefiled by Sen. Shawnna Bolick on 11/15.  It looks to be a duplicate of the previously mentioned HCR2001.  One SCR has been filed thus far.

As of this writing, no Memorials have been filed in the Senate.

The first Bill is SB1001, prefiled by Sen. Frank Carroll on 11/17.  It proposes -

That's it; that's the entire bill.

Note: DES doesn't have a specific program by that name, though if the bill moves forward, it could be amended to include a specific name.

One SB has been filed thus far.

In other words, get ready for a bumpy ride when the lege returns to Phoenix.

Legislative schedule - week starting 11/23/2025

Shockingly, their *is* something on the legislature's schedule during the holiday week.

On Monday, 11 24 - Nada.

On Tuesday, 11/25 

-

Obesity Treatment Study Committee meets at 1 p.m.in SHR1.  On the agenda for this joint committee: no bills; five presentations related o obesity and/or insurance coverage for the same.

On Wednesday, 11/26 and Thursday, 11/27 (the Thanksgiving holiday) - Nada.

Legislative schedule - week starting 11/16/2025

Like two weeks ago, nothing is on the schedule..

Legislative schedule - week starting 11/09/2025

Wow!!!

There's five whole meetings on the lege's schedule this week...it's almost as if they're trying to fit them in before taking time off for Thanksgiving..

On Monday, 11/10 

-

Joint Committee on Capital Review meets at 1 p.m. in SHR109. On the agenda: no bills, 11 reviews of agency capital expenditures and/or projects.

Joint Legislative Budget Committee meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: no bills: one executive session and a "public" session with 13 items on the agenda...and 12 are on the "consent" agenda, and no public comment will be taken.

On Tuesday, 11/11, Veterans Day - Nada.

On Wednesday, 11/12 -

Senate Health and Human Services meets at 1 p.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: no bills; receiving testimony from AHCCCS, the state Department of Health Services, and providers (while the agenda doesn't specify, I presume that those will be *healthcare* providers).

On Thursday, 11/13 

-

Obesity Treatment Study Committee meets at noon in SHR2.  It's a joint committee.  On the agenda:  no bills.

On Friday, 11/14 

- 

House Ad Hoc Committee on Election Integrity and Florida-Style Voting Systems meets at 9:30 a.m. in HHR4.  On the agenda: no bills.  Not on the agenda, but will happen anyway: boosting committee chair Alexander Kolodin's campaign for AZ Secretary of State.

Legislator wants to install speed inhibitor devices into the vehicles of speeders

Could someone please explain to me how devices installed into cars are less intrusive than traffic enforcement cameras, which Republican legislators absolutely *hate* (but never go into a vehicle)?

From Arizona Capitol Times , written by Jakob Thorington

Arizona to consider speed-limiting devices to improve road safety

An Arizona representative is trying to make the state’s roads safer by using new technology to tether excessive and frequent speeders to the posted speed limits. 

Rep. Quang Nguyen, R-Prescott Valley, said on Oct. 27 that he’s introducing a bill next session that would allow courts to order a speed-inhibitor device to be installed in the vehicles of motorists who frequently or excessively violate speeding laws. 

The "money line" in the article is the last one in the article...and the emphasis is on "money".

If the bill becomes law next session, Arizona would launch a competitive procurement process for companies to bid and become approved providers of devices that can be used.

 

Don't be shocked if the 2026 bill doing this is written in such a way that only one or two companies can meet the conditions that "approved" device providers will be required to meet.

An enterprising prosecutor could try to establish their professional bona fides by looking for financial ties between those companies and supporters of the measure.

During the 2025 session, Rep. Nguyen introduced HB2786, designed to mandate the installation of such devices.  It failed in the House.  Twice.

Actually, I think I know why Republican legislators hate traffic cameras so much.

They keep catching them doing bad things.

Legislative schedule - week starting 11/02/2025

Like last week, nothing is on the schedule...but two weeks from today, Republican Representative Alexander Kolodin will use his position to campaign for Arizona Secretary of State.

On the taxpayer dime.

Legislative schedule - week starting 10/26/2025

Nothing scheduled this week.

Legislative schedule - week starting 10/19/2025

Rerun: Back to the normal intersession schedule at the Arizona Legislature - nothing is on the schedule this week.

Legislative schedule - week starting 10/12/2025

Back to the normal intersession schedule at the Arizona Legislature - nothing is on the schedule this week.

Legislative schedule - week starting 10/5/2025

Wow!  There's another WHOLE meeting this week!

Of course, I expect that this one will be all about Senate Republicans using the meeting as a platform for bashing the things they want bash - public schools in general, and Tolleson Union High School District in particular (and truth be told, they seem to have earned some bashing) and the Arizona Department of Housing.

On Monday, 10/6 - Nada.

On Tuesday, 10/7 

-

Joint Legislative Audit Committee meets at 9:30 a.m. in HHR1.  On the agenda: no bills, just some bashing.

On Wednesday 10/8 and Thursday, 10/9 - nada.

Legislative schedule - week starting 9/28/2025

Wow!  There's another WHOLE meeting this week!

Of course, I expect that this one will be all about Senate Republicans using the meeting as a platform for bashing the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS, or Arizona's version of Medicaid).

On Monday, 9/29 and Tuesday, 9/30 - 

Nada.

On Wednesday, 10/1 

-

Senate Health and Human Services meets at 1 p.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda:  no bills, no presentations.  

Just comments about AHCCCS.

On Thursday, 10/2 -

Nada