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.

The welfare for the wealthy bill is on Gov. Hobbs' desk

And I urge all Arizonans to let her know their feelings on the subject.  

I already did -

Please veto HB2704, the tax money giveaway to the already wealthy.  Like ESAs/school vouchers, not only doesn't it benefit society, it takes money away from public services.

Before final passage by the legislature, this was a topic for a post.

I was right about one thing - the House handled this bill, a giveaway of public monies to Ken Kendrick (passed on Monday) before doing a budget for the public (temper tantrum on this thrown on Tuesday).

There were a few Democrats who voted for the measure; they're all members of "The Usual Suspects" caucus.

HB2704 is here.

Republican Rep. Tony Rivero should broaden his reading list

I was going to title this one "Republicans in the AZ legislature to the people of AZ: do as we say, not as we do" but one thing in the following story caught my attention.

From the AZ Capitol Times, written by Howard Fischer of Capitol Media Services -

State Republicans push measure to punish false testimony 

in the Legislature

Key Points:

• HB2824 allows committee chairs to compel testimony without majority approval

• False testimony could result in perjury charges

• Democrats want a provision to hold legislators to the same standard

State lawmakers have approved a measure to allow any lawmaker who chairs a legislative committee to issue a subpoena and send out a sheriff’s deputy to arrest anyone who refuses to submit to questioning or produce documents.

The part/quote that got my attention (emphasis added by me)?

But Rivero told Capitol Media Services that the Legislature, as “the supreme lawmaking body” in the state, has a special role.

"Supreme lawmaking body"?  Really?

To attribute a quote to the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (attribute = I don't know that she ever actually said this):

"Hold my beer."

Justice Ginsburg wrote the majority opinion in the USSC's 2015 ruling in the case of Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission.

That ruling upheld the right of the people approve laws, even those that override the interests of members of the legislature.

The case really should have been named "Arizona's Legislative Republicans v. The People Of Arizona."

This bill proves that while the case is in the past, the hatred that Arizona's Legislative Republicans have for the People Of Arizona still festers.

SCOTUSblog has complete coverage of the case here.

HB2824, the bill in question, was amended in the Senate (to make a bad bill worse) so it heads back to the House, where the majority caucus has already recommended concurrence.

"Clean" is NOT part of the vocabulary of Arizona's legislative Republicans

At least not when crafting bills to help members of the public.

From KXNV (Phoenix channel 15), written by Manuelita Beck -

Republicans propose a funding fix for Arizona’s disability services. Here’s what’s in the bill

Republicans in Arizona’s House proposed a bill Monday to solve a budget-busting $122-million shortfall in the state’s disability-services program.

The Division of Developmental Disabilities runs out of money at the end of the month, two months before Arizona’s budget ends, endangering services for more than 59,000 Arizonans with disabilities.

[snip]

What's in the bill

Sponsored by a House lawmaker who leads budget talks, HB 2945 would shift money from other parts of Gov. Katie Hobbs’ budget to fully fund DDD through June 30, the end of the state’s budget year:

• $10 million from the Arizona Commerce Authority Competes Fund
• $38 million from the Housing Trust Fund
• $74 million from the Prescription Drug Rebate Fund

In addition to the funding, State Rep. David Livington’s bill would put a 40-hour weekly cap on DDD’s Parents as Paid Caregivers Program when the new budget year begins on July 1. That cap would be cut in half to 20 hours per week on Oct. 1, the start of the federal government’s new budget year. The Legislature also would need to reauthorize the parental caregivers program in 2027.

HB2945 is here.

What is in the bill?  Attacks on lots of things that the Rs dislike anyway.  You know, things that use public money to help, you know, members of the public.

What isn't the bill?  Anything that reins in the ESA/school voucher program.  Something that takes public money and uses it to line private pockets.

The bill is scheduled to be considered in House Appropriations on 4/15.  As of now, it's the only bill on the agenda.

A parallel bill, SB1734, from John Kavanagh, is scheduled for consideration by Senate Appropriations at the same time.  As of now, it's the only bill on the agenda.

If it's December, it must be vehicle bill time at the AZ legislature

In lege-speak, a "vehicle bill" that exists basically to serve a shell for a strike-everything amendment ("striker") that's usually far more insidious and detrimental to society than the underlying bill.

Normally, such bills have "technical correction" in the working title, but this year, they've gotten creative.  So far, none have that in the title.

Thus far, 14 actual bills have been introduced; of those, eight look to be vehicles for strikers.

Of the 14, nine were introduced by Ol' Reliable, John Kavanagh (R - CAP's Lapdog) (and he is listed as a co-sponsor of another); seven look to be strikers.

Some of the bills are about things like balloons, fair juries, and eyeglasses; not the sort of things that Republicans are known for giving a damn about.

One prediction: SB1007, working title "public school tax credit; purposes" will be turned into something to expand private school vouchers.