Hobbs Withdraws AWOL Nominee for Governor's Regulatory Review Council from Senate Confirmation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                 

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Hobbs Withdraws AWOL Nominee for Governor's Regulatory Review Council

from Senate Confirmation

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senate Government Committee Chairman Jake Hoffman is reacting to today's decision by Katie Hobbs to withdraw a nominee for the Governor's Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) who went AWOL and would not be present in Arizona to fulfill the duties of the position for the next several months, nor would attend this afternoon's scheduled Senate confirmation hearing.

"I am completely dumbfounded why the highest elected-official in the State of Arizona would nominate an individual who would rather prioritize her vacation schedule, leaving Arizona for months on end traveling abroad, than her important role of service to the citizens of Arizona. Unfortunately, this reflects Katie Hobbs' continued failures in leadership, and only the people of this great state stand to lose from her repeated attempts of appointing unqualified candidates to carry out vital government functions." said Chairman Hoffman. "A position on the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council is a critical post in state government. You serve as the backstop against bureaucratic overreach. You are there to protect individual liberties, which is the core function of government. When those who serve on the council are not present to listen to the needs of Arizona's regulated communities, the council may inadvertently approve edicts that threaten the livelihoods of our citizens. Whether making it more difficult to receive a license to work, making it more expensive to build a house, or increasing costs on everyday necessities like eggs, these are the detrimental outcomes that can transpire from a lack of engagement with Arizona industries by GRRC members. Katie Hobbs should find someone dedicated to the post – or at least willing to show up."

Jenny Domingo was appointed by Governor Hobbs to GRRC in October of 2024. After leaving the country last month, it was not determined until today that she would be absent through September. During this period, GRRC will take regulatory action at 12 meetings. For most agencies, GRRC is the final step in the rulemaking process. GRRC's primary functions are the review of new rules or rule amendments proposed by state agencies, and the review of existing rules every five years on a rotating basis to ensure that such rules are still necessary and effective. GRRC reviews most rules to ensure that they are necessary, as well as to avoid duplication and adverse impacts on the public. GRRC assesses whether a rule is clear, concise and understandable, legal, consistent with legislative intent and within the agency's statutory authority, and whether the benefits of a rule outweigh the cost. If a rule does not meet these criteria, GRRC returns it to the agency for further consideration.

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov