Legislative schedule - week starting 8/2/2026

Yep, it's gotten hot in Phoenix, and it shows on the legislative schedule this week.

Absolutely nothing is on the schedule this week.

Legislative schedule - week starting 7/26/2026

On the schedule for the week: nada.

The primary is over but nothing is happening at the lege.

Legislative schedule - week starting 7/19/2026

On the schedule for the week: nada.

The primary election date is 7/21.

Legislative schedule - week starting 7/12/2026

On the schedule for the week: nada, and I'm guessing there won't be anything until after the primary...of course, there probably won't be much afterward.

Legislative schedule - week starting 7/5/2026

One meeting is on the schedule, but it's required, at least in even-numbered years.

On Monday,7/6 and Tuesday, 7/7 - Nada.

On Wednesday, 7/8 

-

Legislative Council meets at 10 a.m. in HHR1.   It's a joint committee, comprised of members of both the House and the Senate.  On the agenda: no bills; a bunch of items regarding "Adoption of Ballot Analysis Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 19-124" for 12 ballot measures to be considered by the voters this fall, 10 of which were referred to the ballot by the legislature.  One of the measures scheduled to be proposed by the public, I-08-2026 – Free, Fair and Secure Elections Act, won't appear on the ballot as the organizers chose not to turn in the signatures that they collected.

ARS section 19-124 can be found here.

This meeting should generate some lawsuits - the ballot analyses for the measures proposed by the legislature will almost certainly be crafted in such a way as to favor those proposals while the analysis for the one measure proposed by the public will almost certainly be crafted in such a way as to oppose that measure.

On Thursday, 7/9 - Nada.

Legislative schedule - week starting 6/28/2026

Nada on the schedule for now.

There have been rumors of a special session over ESAs/school vouchers, and they have been dutifully reported by the MSM.

However, there are two things to consider:

1. As yet, there's nothing scheduled.

2. My guess (and it's only that) is that nothing will happen - there's no upside for the supporters of ESA reform.  The special session scam seems like something floated by one or more members of the R caucus looking to shield ESAs from anything resembling real reform.

Poison Pills: The Arizona Legislature's parting gift to Arizona voters

It's interesting when elected officials so despise the public who elected them..

"Interesting" = "hypocritical" here.

From KJZZ, dated 6/13, written by Camryn Sanchez and Wayne Schutsky at KJZZ and Howard Fischer at Capitol Media Services -

After deal fails, Republicans send 'poison pill' for Arizona school voucher reform to ballot

Arizona Republican state lawmakers made a last-ditch effort to hijack efforts to rein in private school vouchers on Friday, after a deal with the teacher’s union fell through.

The Arizona Education Association and Save Our Schools Arizona are gathering signatures to put “Protect Education Now” on the November ballot. If they succeed, and the ballot measure gets approved by voters, it would drastically alter the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, the state’s universal voucher system.

The measure to protect ESAs referred to the voters was HCR2048.

The Republicans in the lege like to say that the measure is all about protecting military families (really! it is, just ask them!) but it has an anti-voter clause in it -

That clause is all about trying to deceive the into nullifying the Protect Education Act, assuming the voters approve it.

Oh, while the Rs in the lege don't want severability for things approved by the voters, they want it for themselves.  From 2026's HB2991 (though this clause is in many of the legislature's measures) -

While this may be the most egregious example of their contempt for the voting public, it's far from the only example.

From AZ Mirror, dated 6/18, written by Jim Small (emphasis added by me) -

Arizona voters will decide 10 GOP-backed ballot measures in November on schools, elections, taxes

When Arizona voters go to the polls in November to decide who will be the next governor and hold the other statewide offices, they’ll also get to weigh in directly on some of the policy priorities of the Republicans who currently run the state legislature.

In all, legislators sent 10 measures to this year’s ballot, where voters will get the final say. Half of those proposals seek to amend the Arizona Constitution, which requires voter approval. The other half make changes to state law, but were sent to the ballot to avoid a veto from Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat who has shattered the state’s record for vetoes during her four years in office.

[snip]

SCR 1004 (2026) — Photo-enforcement voter approval
Amends state law to require local governments and agencies to win voter approval to keep operating speed- and red-light cameras, unless under contract by Dec. 31, 2026. If voters approve the cameras, that authorization lasts for 10 years, after which voters must once again vote on their use. 

Legislative antipathy toward the will of the voters is longstanding and well-documented.

In 1996, the voters overwhelmingly approved a measure to legalize medical marijuana in AZ.

Then the legislature overturned the will of the voters.

So in 1998, the voters passed the Voter Protection Act, all but barring the lege from tinkering with voter-approved measures.

In the many years since, the Republicans in the state legislature have tried to overturn or at least weaken it; usually their efforts are paid for by corporate interests.  They've always been rebuffed.

In some years, the legislature refers something to the ballot that merits support from voters (it's rare, but it HAS happened).

This isn't one of those years.

Legislative schedule - week starting 6/21/2026

Nada on the schedule for now.

There's a holiday (Independence Day) coming up, and a primary election.

My guess is that as elected officials, the majority of the membership of the lege doesn't care about the holiday, unless they believe that a profession of love for that holiday will net them more primary votes.

Legislative schedule - week starting 6/14/2026

Short version: Nada.

The lege has adjourned sine die ("without a date") so they won't meet again until January, unless Governor Hobbs issues a special session proclamation.

There will be meetings of various ad hoc, joint, and other non-standing committees...but not this coming week.  A significant number of R members are going to D.C. in order to receive their marching orders from "confer with" the Trump administration.

Legislative schedule - week starting 6/7/2026

While, on the surface, the coming week is shaping up to be a quiet one, below the surface, there is a lot of activity budget-wise as legislators (and others) try to finish up a state budget before many members of the R caucus travel to D.C. for a propaganda session White House "conference".

From Arizona Agenda, written by Nicole Ludden -

[snip]

About a dozen Republican senators are taking a three-day trip to D.C. for a “White House State Leadership Conference,” where they’ll hear “about President Trump’s America First Agenda and ways states can partner with the administration on shared policy priorities,” Senate Republican spokesperson Kim Quintero said.

Quintero said the conference itself is a single-afternoon event on June 16, but the trip is still planned over three days. Not to worry, “lawmakers remain committed to completing their work and passing a balanced budget before the June 30 constitutional deadline, as they’ve done every year,” she said.

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, 6/8 - Nada.

)n Tuesday, 6/9 

-

Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government meets at 9 a.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: no bills/ consideration of one executive nomination - Susan Wallace to the State Liquor Board.

On Wednesday, 6/10 and Thursday, 6/11 - Nada.

Legislative schedule - week starting 5/31/2026

Some shameless hypocrisy coming up this week, which, perversely, may indicate a real budget proposal is nigh.

Or certain Rs are just looking to get their hate on for civil society in new and ever more depraved ways.

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 b, ad (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, 6/1 

-

Joint Legislative Audit Committee meets at 9 a.m. in HHR1.  On the agenda: no bills; six items related to special audits.  Two of those items are about looking at the state's Child Care and Development Fund, which seems to be far more oversight for that than they give to ESAs.

On Tuesday, 6/2 

-

Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse meets at 1 p.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: no bills, no presentations, just some public testimony at this point..

Legislative schedule - week starting 5/24/2026

As of right now, there are no committee meetings on the AZ lege's schedule, and while that *may* change, I don't expect that it will.  Not this week, anyway.

Two reasons:

1. There's a holiday early in the week.

2. One of the chambers is on vacation until next week.

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 b, ad (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, 5/25 -Holiday.

On Tuesday, 5/26, Wednesday, 5/27, and Thursday, 5/28 - Nada.

Legislative schedule - week starting 5/17/2026

While silly season grinds on and while the Republicans at the lege voted to abandon ship go on vacation a couple weeks ago, there is still some activity at the Capitol.

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 b, ad (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, 5/18 -

Some floor activity, but no committee activity.

On Tuesday, 5/19 

-

Senate Natural Resources meets at 10 a.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: no bills, consideration of appointments to four boards.

On Wednesday, 5/20 

-

Senate Education meets at 1:30 p.m. in SHR1.  On the agenda: no bills, consideration of the appointment of the student representative on the Arizona Board of Regents.

On Thursday, 5/21 - Nada.

Legislative schedule - week starting 5/10/2026

Silly season grinds on at the state legislature, but with a twist - the Republicans are now doing budget negotiations by abandoning their posts.

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 b, ad (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, 5/11 

-

Senate Director Nominations meets at 11:30 a.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: an inquisition "consideration" of John A. Conley, nominated to be Adjutant General of the Department Of Emergency And Military Affairs.

On Tuesday, 5/12, Wednesday, 5/13. Thursday, 5/14 - Nada

Legislative schedule - week starting 5/3/2026

While silly season grinds on, there will be some loud posturing going on as legislative Republicans have approved a package of budget bills so bad for average Arizonans and the state that Governor Hobbs has already said that it's DOA if/when it reaches her desk.

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 b, ad (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, 5/4 

-

Senate Rules is scheduled to meet this week [9:30 a.m. Senate Caucus Room 1].  On the agenda: 16 bills.  All are part of the budget package of the Senate's Republican Caucus.

The Senate Caucuses will meet to hear about those bills.  No time is listed, either on the agenda or the website itself, but I presume those meetings will take place some time after the Rules meeting.

.

On Tuesday, 5/5, Wednesday, 5/6, and Thursday, 5/7 - Nada.

As in no committee meetings on the schedule (for now), though that may change next week.  However, there will be some preening and posturing on Tuesday -

LD7 State Representative: what's old may be* new again

* - OK, when I say "may be", I mean "probably will be" IMO.

Republican David Marshall Sr., the now former State Representative for LD7, resigned from the legislature in order to accept a job as Navajo County Recorder.  He's also ended his campaign for Arizona Corporation Commission (AZCC).

 

There have been some questions raised about his eligibility to hold that office, but it will take a lawsuit to make that determination.

He HAS resigned from the lege, though, and state law requires that the relevant county's Board of Supervisors (BOS) appoint a replacement from the same party as the person who resigned.

To that end, Republican Party PCs in that district have nominated three people to fill the spot and forwarded those names to the Navajo County BOS.

From an emailed press release from the AZ GOP -

Dewitt is a town council member in Taylor, AZ.

Carlisle is a Republican activist and PC.

Allen is a former legislator and member of the Navajo County BOS.

I know which one I think that the BOS will appoint (Allen), but regardless of who is appointed, that person will only hold office until the next session of the legislature - none are candidates in LD7 for the 2026 election.

The main benefit for Marshall resigning and ending his campaign for AZCC (for Marshall himself only;  the person who replaces him in the legislature/wins a seat on the AZCC will be just as right-wing as him [unless the AZCC winners are Democrats], so the people of AZ will reap no benefit) will be saving on gas costs - he no longer will have to travel to Phoenix.

Legislative schedule - week starting 4/26/2026

A (possible) break in the budget freeze at the Capitol this week, but don't hold your breath.

As of now, silly season continues at the Capitol.

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 b, ad (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, 4/27 

-

Senate Rules is scheduled to meet this week [1 p.m., Senate Caucus Room 1].  There are two bills on its agenda, however, the most interesting item on the agenda isn't a bill.

2. Request for permission from the Committee on Rules for the late introduction of bills relating to the budget

Hmmm... 

I don't yet know if this is for real or just for show.

My guess (and it's only that) is that they'll get a budget done by the middle of June - legislative Rs are scheduled to go to D.C. (on the taxpayer dime!) on June 15th - 17th.  While there, they'll be praising Cheeto and receiving their marching orders.

Senate Health and Human Service meets at 11 a.m. is SHR2.  On the agenda: no bills and one executive nomination - Dr. Lynette Livesay for the state's Board of Psychologist Examiners.

On Tuesday, 4/28, Wednesday, 4/29, and Thursday, 4/30 - nada scheduled (for now, anyway.)

Legislative schedule - week starting 4/19/2026

Hurry up and wait season grinds on as Governor Hobbs and legislative leadership negotiate a state budget behind closed doors.

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 b, ad (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, 4/20 

-

Senate Rules is scheduled to meet this week [1 p.m., Senate Caucus Room 1].  There are five bills on its agenda.

Senate Director Nominations meets at 11:30 a.m. in SHR109.  On the agenda: no bills, one director candidate to grill consider:

Ruvjit "Ruby" Dhillion-Williams for the Arizona Department of Housing.

On Tuesday, 4/21, Wednesday, 4/22, and Thursday, 4/23 - Nada on the schedule (for now, anyway).

Legislative schedule - week starting 4/12/2026

Silly season drags on while everyone waits for a budget.

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 b, ad (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, 4/13 

-

Only Senate Rules is scheduled to meet this week (so far) [1 p.m., Senate Caucus Room 1).  There are four bills on its agenda.

 On Tuesday 4/14, Wednesday 4/15, and Thursday 4/16 -

Nada.

Legislative schedule - week starting 4/5/2026

Well, we've officially entered "Silly Season"; the period between the end of committee consideration of bills (except by the Appropriations committees of the respective chambers...for a couple of weeks, anyway) and the introduction of the budget bills.

And that could be days...or months...away.

Right now, no standing committees are on the schedule, though that may change during the week.

Also right now, there are no COW, Third Read, or Final Read calendars of bills to receive floor consideration on Monday (that may change though I don't expect it to do so).

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 b, ad (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, 4/6 

-

Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on the Department of Child Safety meets at 9 a.m. in SHR2.  On the agenda: no bills, three presentations.

On Tuesday, 4/7, Wednesday, 4/8, and Thursday 4/9 - 

Nada