Arizona Senate Republicans End "Lawfare for Hire" with Landmark Transparency Measure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                  

Wednesday, July 23, 2025 

Arizona Senate Republicans End "Lawfare for Hire"

with Landmark Transparency Measure

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— In a decisive move to protect the integrity of Arizona's state government from outside ideological interference, Arizona Senate Republicans are ensuring public servants are accountable to the taxpayers who fund them, and not to politically motivated special interests, with a new law set to take effect this fall.

Passed by the Arizona Legislature last month under SB 1735, the new law prohibits any state agency from employing officers or staff whose salaries are paid for with private funds. "Private monies" is defined as any funds not appropriated by a federal, state, or local government – like those from nonprofits, foundations, universities, private donors, or advocacy groups. The measure includes limited exceptions for law enforcement, environmental quality staff, and public universities, where existing structures already provide safeguards and oversight.

This legislation comes amid growing national concern over programs like the NYU Environmental Fellowship, which quietly embeds privately funded attorneys bankrolled by Bloomberg Philanthropies, within state Attorney General offices to push progressive climate and energy litigation. These so-called "Special Assistant Attorneys General" operate under the authority of public officials while being paid by a private donor with a political agenda.

"This is about drawing a clear line between public service and private influence," said Senate President Warren Petersen. "Arizona will not tolerate lawfare for hire, where outside billionaires fund shadow attorneys to quietly steer public policy behind closed doors. Taxpayers deserve to know who's working on their behalf, and who's really pulling the strings. This new law protects transparency, strengthens legislative oversight, and ensures Arizona citizens— not out-of-state ideologues— remain in charge of our government."

While states like New York, Washington, and Illinois have embraced this model of privately funded lawfare, Arizona is taking a bold stand to preserve the independence and integrity of its institutions. The measure takes effect September 26.

###

For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov