Legislative schedule - week starting 8/3/2025

There's absolutely nothing on the legislative schedule at this point.

That may change, so keep an eye out, but as it's August, I don't expect that to change.

Legislative schedule - week starting 7/27/2025

There's no legislative activity scheduled to take place at the Capitol, but there is one committee meeting scheduled in Payson.

Can you say "Taxpayer-funded road trip"?!?

On Monday, 7/28 - nada.

On Tuesday, 7/29 

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Fire Preparedness Committee House Ad Hoc meets at 10 a.m. at Gila Community College - 201 N. Mud Springs Rd, Payson, AZ 85541.  On the agenda: presentations from the Department of Forestry and Fire Management and SRP.  

Legislative schedule - week starting 7/20/2025

Now that the legislature has adjourned, there isn't much going on down there, but there a little bit going on this week.

OK, just a little bit. :)

On Monday, 7/21 

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At 9 a.m. Joint Legislative Audit Committee meets in HHR1.  On the agenda: three presentations, one of which involves ESAs (school voucher scam).  One portion will be given by the state's office of the Auditor General (controlled by the ESA enablers in the legislature) and the other portion will be given by the Arizona Department of Education (headed by ESA apologist Tom Horne).

It doesn't seem to be unreasonable to expect an ESA propaganda session.

Legislative schedule - week starting 7/13/2025

Again, nothing on the schedule this week -

Legislative schedule - week starting 7/6/2025

Not much to report this week, as the lege is out of session and many members are still on vacation.

Actually, nothing is scheduled for this week - no interim, ad hoc, or "special" committees.

Legislative schedule - week starting 6/29/2025

The Senate passed a budget to avoid a government shutdown and Governor Hobbs signed it into law, and the lege has gone home, so there is absolutely nothing scheduled for next week.

The Independence Day holiday next Friday may have have something to do with that.

Legislative schedule - week starting 6/22/2025 UPDATE

I'm guessing that a special session of the state legislature is coming our way.

On Tuesday, 6/24 

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House Appropriation meets at 10 a.m. in HHR1.  On the agenda: 13 bills, all related to the House Budget. all to be considered as part of a single motion.  No public comment need be solicited.

House Rules meets at noon in HHR4..  On the agenda: the 13 House budget bills.

The Committee of the Whole (COW) sessions 2 -8 are all pertaining to the House budget bill; COW1 has two bills on it that seem to have to be returned to the Senate, which has adjourned already.  So that COW session may (or may not) be cancelled.

No amendments to the House budget have been posted as yet, so if passed as is, the House budget will differ from the Senate budget. 

Meaning that, as of the end of the month, the State of Arizona will have no budget.

Legislative schedule - week starting 6/22/2025

Well, the Senate has adjourned for the year without the House passing a budget.  The House slated to consider one on Monday, but if they don't, or if anything they pass differs from what the Senate has passed, a special session may be necessary.

From AZ Mirror, written by Caitlin Sievers -

Political chaos erupts as Arizona Senate passes budget and ends session unilaterally

The Arizona Senate has officially ended its work for this legislative session after passing its budget bills in a marathon of amendments and votes on Thursday, just hours after a tentative agreement with Republicans in the House of Representatives fell apart and that chamber went home. 

The day was marked by long-winded speeches and fiery disagreements both between and within political parties. Just minutes after voting on the final budget bill a little before 2 a.m. Friday,  the Senate took a bipartisan vote to end the session — also known as sine die. That vote comes before the House has voted on the budget bills that just passed through the Senate, forcing the chamber to confront the June 30 deadline to pass the budget on its own. 

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. 

On Monday, 6/23 

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Senate Director Nominations meets at 1:15 p.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: no bills; one director nomination, Karen Peters, AZ Department of Environmental Quality.

It's on the schedule for now, but given that Senate has bugged out, this one may be cancelled.

Legislative schedule - week starting 6/15/2025 UPDATE

Like an infestation of athlete's foot fungus, THEY'RE BAAACK.

The lege isn't on hiatus any longer and the people of Arizona are back in jeopardy.

Well, as predicted, the committee schedule has changed.

On Tuesday, 6/17  

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Senate Appropriations meets at 9:30 a.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: 18 bills, including 16 budget bills.  There are two SCR bills on the agenda; SCR1041 would lift the aggregate expenditure limit for public schools in FY2026 and SCR1042 would do the same for FY2027.  Both have clauses requiring a 2/3 vote for passage.

House Rules meets at 1 p.m. in HHR4.  On the agenda: two bills, neither budget-related.

House Appropriations meets at 2 p.m. in HHR1.  On the agenda: five bills, four with strikers. The striker to HCR2031 would change it to a proposal to submit to voters a pay raise for teachers, including those employed by charter schools; the one for HCR2058 would, conditioned on voter approval of the first measure and this measure, do many things, including increasing reporting requirements related to teacher salaries on schools; the one for SB1082 would bar a "foreign principal from a designated country" from owning or acquiring real property in AZ (without identifying the country); and the one for SB1470 would freeze enrollment in and reduce funding for AHCCCS.

On Wednesday, 6/18 

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Senate Director Nomination meets at 10 a.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: no bills, one director nomination - Karen Peters for the Department of Environmental Quality.

Legislative schedule - week starting 6/15/2025

There's only one committee meeting on the schedule at this point, but the budget bills have dropped.  Things could be added to the schedule at any time.  And even if they're not, there will lots of glad handing/arm twisting going on behind the scenes.

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. 

On Monday, 6/16 

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Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Committee on Family Court Orders meets at 9 a.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: no bills, no presentations.  Just some remarks and public testimony about orders from family court.

On Tuesday, 6/17, Wednesday, 6/18, and Thursday, 6/19 - Nada.  For now.

The House version of the budget is about a certain faction in the House membership getting their hate on for the "other."  I expect that the final budget will change,  Their hate won't.

Legislative schedule - week starting 6/8/2025 UPDATE

Well, the budget logjam seems to have been broken, though the original Senate and House versions of the budget may have some differences.

First, the Senate activity.

On Friday, 6/13 

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Senate Rules meets at 11:45 a.m. in (Senate) Caucus Room 1.  On the agenda: no bills, one item.

The House has introduced 15 budget-related bills, starting with HB2947.

Now the fun/popcorn eating begins. :)

Legislative schedule - week starting 6/8/2025

Not much is on the lege's schedule as yet, though the budget could drop at any time.

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 previo

On Monday, 6/9 - Nada.

On Tuesday, 6 10 

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Senate Education and Technology meets at 9 a.m.is SHR1.  On the agenda: no bills, two board nominations:

Dr. José Luis Cruz Rivera for the State Board of Education 

Felipe Jose Garcia for the Arizona Board of Regents

Senate Director Nominations meets (finally!) at 10:30 a.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: no bills, one director nomination - 

Kimberly Ann O'Connor for the Arizona Department of Homeland Security

It's not yet on the schedule, but the legislature has been conducting floor activity on Wednesdays.  They did so last Wednesday and I expect that they will continue to do so, at least until a budget drops.

Then all hell will break loose.

One bill that may make a return is SB1230.  It failed last Wednesday on a roll call vote, but was approved for reconsideration by a voice vote.

The bill would mandate funding for clinical trials of marijuana, and as it would alter a voter-passed measure, it needs a 3/4 vote from each chamber of the legislature to pass into law.

It reached that threshold in the Senate (barely!) but didn't quite reach that threshold in the House.

My guess? 

Even if the supporters of the bill get the votes of every member who missed the original vote AND are are able to change the minds, and votes, of a few of the opponents, they still won't reach the needed threshold of 45 votes.

In other words, it may not actually return

Legislative schedule - week starting 6/1/2025 UPDATE

Tomorrow, 6/5, Senate Director Nominations was scheduled to meet, but that's been pulled from the schedule.  

Guess the nominee for the Arizona Department of Homeland Security doesn't have strong enough ties to neo-Nazi movement to suit the Rs on the committee.

On Friday, 6/6 -

Joint Legislative Audit Committee meets at 9 a.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: no bills; reviews and discussions of three audits.

Legislative schedule - week starting 6/1/2025

Right now, there's nothing on the official schedule, but Rs in the legislature and the Ds in Governor Hobbs' office are busily negotiating a budget deal, which could drop at any time.

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. 

Legislative schedule - week starting 5/25/2025

They're still (mostly) on vacation, though a few executive nominations will be considered by Senate committees this week.

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. 

On Monday, 5/26 (Memorial Day) and Tuesday, 5/27 - nada.

On Wednesday, 5/28 

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Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency meets at 9 a.m. in SHR109. On the agenda: no bills; three commission/board appointments.

Xavier Carpio for the Arizona State Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commission

Jeff Weintraub for the Arizona State Lottery Commission

Terressa DeHaven for the State Liquor Board

Senate Committee on Director Nominations meets at 10 a.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: no bills; one director nomination.

Carlos Contreras for the Office of Economic Opportunity.

Senate Government meets at 2 p.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: no bills; one board/commission appointment.

Jenny Domingo for the Governor's Regulatory Review Council 

Legislative schedule - week starting 5/18/2025

There's nada scheduled for the week as the elected denizens of the state legislative buildings are on vacation.

Legislative schedule - week starting 5/11/2025

I would say that "'Hurry up and wait' time continues at the state Capitol...until a budget drops"...but they're going on vacation going back to their district to meet with constituents until after Memorial Day.

Nobody will be surprised when industry lobbyists list this period on their expense reports as "legislator outreach" or some such innocuous-sounding garbage.

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. 

On Monday, 5/12 

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There's one meeting on the schedule for the week, and it's both early in the week and early in the day (Monday meetings are usually in the afternoon).

Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Committee on Family Court Orders meets at 9 a.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: no bills; two presentations on...wait for the surprise...*family court orders*.

After that, nada.

Legislative schedule - week starting 5/4/2025 UPDATE

There's been an addition to this week's schedule of committee meetings at the state legislature.

On Thursday, 5/1 -

Senate Director Nominations meets at 9:30 a.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: no bills, one executive nomination - Robyn Sahid, Commissioner, State Land Department.

Legislative schedule - week starting 5/4/2025

"Hurry up and wait" time continues at the state Capitol...until a budget drops.

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. 

Almost nothing is officially scheduled for this week...almost nothing.

On Monday, 5/5 and Tuesday, 5/6 - nada.

On Wednesday, 5/7 

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Senate Education and Transportation meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: no bills; consideration of two nominations to state boards - Binky Jones, State Board for Charter Schools and Lee Stein, Arizona Board of Regents.

On Thursday, 5/8 - nada.

Candidate update time

Note: forming a committee and/or filing a Statement of Interest (SOI) with the AZSOS does NOT mean that will appear on a ballot going before voters.

Q: What do former politicos do when they lose a race?

A: Run for office again.

In 2022, legislator John Fillmore (R-Whackjob) lost his primary race for state house.  Now he's filed an SOI for a run at Democratic Congressman Greg Stanton. As of this writing, he has not formed a committee with the FEC.

In 2024, soon-to-be ex-legislator Anthony Kern (R-Another Whackjob) came in fifth in a seven-way primary race for Congress (actually, one was a write in candidate, so he was fifth of six ballot candidates).  Now he's looking to return to the legislature.

He hasn't formed a new committee with the AZSOS, but he may by using an old committee for this run.

It's not just former politicos, though.

Former placekicker (NFL and Arena Football League) Jay Feely (R-very Wide Right) has declared his candidacy to replace Andy Biggs in Congress.

His SOI, from the AZSOS -

His committee with the FEC -

All you need to know about him can be summed up in one pic -

From Sports Illustrated

This pic may help him in his primary race, but I don't care.