Senate Republicans Tackle Waste, Fraud, Abuse in Welfare Programs
PHOENIX, ARIZONA—Senate Republicans are working to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars by advancing legislation addressing eligibility requirements and increasing oversight for both Arizona's unemployment insurance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP).
Senate Republicans Pass "Ag-to-Urban" Bill in Committee to Help Arizona Families Afford a Home While Saving Water
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— A bipartisan bill designed to help Arizona conserve water while increasing homebuilding to bring housing prices down for hardworking Arizona families is advancing out of committee and moving closer to a vote on the Senate floor.
Governor Hobbs Refuses to Improve Arizona Vote Tabulation, Vetoes Same-Day Election Results Bill
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Governor Katie Hobbs is irresponsibly preventing Arizona from providing same-day election results after vetoing a wildly popular bill today to speed up vote counting.
Senate Republicans Advance 'AZ ICE Act' Through Committee to Help Protect Arizonans, National Security
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senate Republicans are advancing an amended version of the Arizona Immigration Cooperation and Enforcement Act, also known as the 'AZ ICE Act' SB 1164, sponsored by Senate President Warren Petersen. The bill ensures state cooperation with the Trump Administration's enforcement of federal immigration laws to help protect Arizonans and national security.
Senator Finchem to Host Mayors Forum to Discuss Vacation Rentals
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senator Mark Finchem is hosting a forum in Yavapai County this month to discuss problems posed by vacation rentals in Arizona and is calling on all concerned citizens to attend.
Wildly Popular Legislation to Get Faster Election Results Passes Senate, Heads to Governor
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senate President Warren Petersen is delivering on a promise to solve Arizona's frustratingly slow ballot counting process and deliver faster election results after Arizona became the laughingstock of the nation for being one of the last states to announce the winners and losers of races during the past several election cycles. SB 1011/ HB 2703 just passed the Legislature and is being transmitted to the Governor for signature.
Majority Leader Shamp Celebrates RFK Jr. Confirmation, Vows to Advance "Make Arizona Healthy Again" Agenda
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Majority Leader Janae Shamp is celebrating today's confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the new U.S. Health & Human Services Secretary and is working to advance a "Make Arizona Healthy Again" agenda in line with goals of the Trump Administration to give Americans a fighting chance at achieving optimal wellness.
Legislation to Protect Private Property Rights by Combating "Squatting" Problem Passes Senate Committee
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— The problem of "squatters" taking over people's homes continues to grow across the nation. Despite Governor Katie Hobbs' refusal to protect Arizona homeowners when she vetoed a bipartisan bill last session, Judiciary & Elections Committee Chairwoman Wendy Rogers remains committed to providing a solution to combat squatter practices in Arizona.
Health & Human Services Committee Chair Advances Bills to Address Doctor Shortage, Strengthen Penalties for Parental Rights Violations
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Health & Human Services Chair Carine Werner is advancing legislation to address Arizona's doctor shortage and strengthen parental rights in schools. Both bills passed Committee with broad, bipartisan support.
Legislation to Support Citizens Successfully Reentering into Society After Incarceration Passes Senate Committee
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senator Hildy Angius is working to improve the reentry process for citizens who are transitioning from incarceration back into society with legislation to fund a comprehensive program that will lead these individuals on a path to success. SB 1312 passed the Senate Public Safety Committee today with bipartisan support.
Bill to Prevent California-Style Blackouts During Arizona's Scorching Summer Months Passes Senate Committee
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senator Frank Carroll is working to ensure Arizonans have a reliable power supply during the scorching summer months in the desert and the freezing winter months in the high country with legislation to prevent California-style blackouts from occurring in the Grand Canyon State. SB 1309 passed the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water today with only Republican support.
Bill to Allow Marana Prison as Holding Center to Keep Criminal Illegal Aliens Out of Arizona Communities Passes Senate Committee
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— As the Trump Administration continues to remove criminal illegal aliens from Arizona communities, a bill to allow the federal government to use the empty Marana Prison as a holding center for these dangerous individuals passed out of a Senate committee today with only Republican support.
President Petersen Calls on Arizona's Public Universities to End Illegal, Discriminatory DEI Programs
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senate President Warren Petersen is calling on Arizona's public universities to end all illegal Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) programs, and to restore commonsense merit-based opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.
President Petersen Requests Meeting with Trump Administration on Reversing Biden's Land Grab in Northern Arizona
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senate President Warren Petersen is requesting a meeting with the U.S. Interior Secretary in hopes of reversing former President Joe Biden's land grab of nearly one million acres in northern Arizona. This 2023 unilateral action from the Biden Administration effectively blocks mining, threatens national security, harms the economy, and unnecessarily asserts federal dominance over the Grand Canyon State with more than 40% of Arizona currently owned by the United States.
Federalism Committee Chair Calls on Congress to Allow States to Ban Foreign Spending in Elections to Protect Voices of Voters
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senate Federalism Committee Chairman Mark Finchem is joining a national bipartisan effort calling on Congress to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, so that state legislatures may ban or limit foreign spending influencing state elections, with a goal of protecting the voices of voters.
Legislation to Crackdown on Sexual Predators in Arizona Schools Advances Out of Senate Education Committee with Bipartisan Support
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senator Carine Werner is working to hold sexual predators flying under the radar in Arizona's district and charter schools accountable with legislation requiring school board members to report misconduct complaints to law enforcement. SB 1437, sponsored by Senator Werner, passed out of the Senate Education Committee today with bipartisan support.
Senate President Petersen Joins President Trump at White House for Executive Order Signing to Ban Men from Women's Sports
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen is joining President Donald Trump at the White House today for the signing of an executive order to ban men and boys from competing on women and girls' sports teams.
Senate Republicans Work to Strengthen Wildfire Preparedness, Increase Firefighter Resources with New Bipartisan Legislation
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— In response to the propensity of year-round wildfire risks across Arizona, Senator David Gowan and Senator Kevin Payne are working to strengthen both preparedness and response efforts by equipping rural and municipal fire departments with the resources they need to protect Arizona communities from disaster.
Senate Education Committee Chairman Addresses State's Teacher Shortage with New Legislation Expanding Access to Arizona Teachers Academy
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— In response to the growing teacher shortage in Arizona, Senate Education Committee Chairman David Farnsworth is advancing new legislation that expands access to the Arizona Teachers Academy for community college students.
Concerning Practices Revealed During Probe on Hobbs Administration Conflict of Interest Cases Prompt New Legislation
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Concerning practices revealed during a probe on how the Hobbs Administration awarded $15 billion worth of state Medicaid contracts, as well as large rate increases to a troubled group home, are prompting new legislation to ensure the state's procurement process moving forward is lawful, transparent, fair, and keeps Arizonans' best interests at the forefront of decision-making.