A controversial bill that would separate livestock abuse from other forms of animal cruelty moved through the House Agriculture and Water Committee Tuesday.House Bill 2587 has generated backlash from organizations ranging from animal-rights groups to Sheriff Joe Arpaio since its introduction. At the public hearing, private citizens and representatives from…
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder made headlines Tuesday by calling on states to repeal laws that keep felons from voting after they’ve finished their sentences.One Arizona Democrat already introduced a related proposal several weeks ago, but it hasn’t seen any action at the Legislature…
An Arizona bill aimed at nullifying federal gun laws passed its first test Monday, as it was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.The “Arizona Second Amendment Preservation Act,” introduced by Republican Senator Kelli Ward, would ban state agencies from enforcing federal gun laws or helping any federal agency enforce federal…
The Arizona House Judiciary Committee approved a bill that would make it a felony to share someone else’s nude pictures without his or her permission.Although the lawmakers on the panel were generally supportive of the concept of House Bill 2515, there were a lot of concerns, like who exactly would…
Kratom probably won’t be added to Arizona’s list of banned drugs after all.Kratom, an herb with painkilling properties, has been for sale legally in certain stores around Phoenix for several years now, but the annual proposed update of Arizona’s banned-drugs list originally included two substances found exclusively in the kratom…
Republican and Democratic lawmakers are pulling opposite ways on protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Arizona.While some Republicans are supporting a bill to extend religious protections to businesses, a gang of Democrats have since introduced legislation to ban LGBT discrimination in employment…
Arizona’s list of illegal drugs soon could include kratom, an herbal product that’s been used as medicine in certain Asian countries for centuries.Kratom’s been for sale legally in certain stores around Phoenix for several years now, but the annual proposed update of Arizona’s banned drugs includes the alkaloids in kratom.UPDATE…
Fantasy football fans, time to rejoice: All fantasy sports competitions may soon become legal in Arizona.Although fantasy sports competitions are legal under federal law, Arizona is one of five states where they are prohibited because it’s considered a “game of chance,” which is illegal under Arizona’s gambling laws. But Senate…
The Humane Society of the United States is supporting four Arizona bills this legislative session designed to protect animals.Although the Humane Society generally gives Arizona good reviews for its animal-welfare laws, the organization’s president and CEO Wayne Pacelle is in town today for a “Humane Lobby Day.”…
Some Republican lawmakers still are trying to nullify federal gun laws they feel are unconstitutional.Senate Bill 1294 declares, “All federal acts, laws, orders, rules and regulations that are in violation of the second amendment of the United States Constitution, that are unauthorized by the Constitution and that violate the Second…
As promised, Democratic Representative Ruben Gallego has submitted a bill that would legalize marijuana possession in Arizona.Twelve other Democrats signed on to sponsor or co-sponsor the bill, House Bill 2558…
Members of the state library association, county governments, and library districts around the state are warning about proposed legislation they say could gut library funding statewide.House Bill 2379, proposed by Republican Representative Justin Olson, would put a cap on the taxing capabilities of “special districts” around the state, which includes…
Arizona’s House and Senate both approved a proposal to spend more than $6.8 million to hire new employees at Child Protective Services, which includes $5.7 million in new spending from the state’s general fund.In addition to that, one legislator proposed dipping into the general fund for a little bigger special…
A bill introduced this week could let a majority of Arizona students become eligible to receive state money to attend private school.Senate Bill 1236 would considerably expand the qualifications for Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs), especially lower-income families. ESAs provide debit cards pre-loaded with state money to parents, who then can…
The Arizona bill that would criminalize publishing sexual images that were shared in confidence is “almost certainly unconstitutional,” according to a University of Arizona law professor.House Bill 2515, proposed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, would make it illegal to “knowingly disclose, display, distribute, publish, advertise, or offer a photograph,…
The Senate Appropriations Committee voted unanimously in favor of a proposal to spend more than $6.8 million to hire new employees at Child Protective Services.That’s not to say all the senators on the committee were eager to approve a large special fund for CPS, since some of them have voted…
Arizona is joining a growing number of states where legislators are seeking to criminalize so-called “revenge porn.””Revenge porn” typically comes about after nude images are shared, in confidence, with lovers. When a relationship turns sour and one decides to share his or her ex-lover’s nude images with a larger audience,…
Trampoline-park operators would have to jump through regulatory hoops in Arizona if a bipartisan group of lawmakers have their way. The new bill follows lobbying efforts by the parents of a Valley man who died in 2012 at SkyPark, a Phoenix indoor trampoline center…
Many Republican lawmakers are backing a bill that would prevent churches or ministers from getting “forced” to have anything to do with gay marriages.Although the Arizona Constitution effectively bans gay marriages in the state, this is proposed in case the situation changes. The bill, House Bill 2481, is the second…
A bill backed by 22 legislators aims to prevent Arizona cities from prohibiting chickens in residential neighborhoods, ruffling a few feathers across the state.At first glance, the most interesting thing about Senate Bill 1151 appears to be the unlimited potential of bad puns. However, the bill proposed by Republican Senator…
Last June, Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery silenced Democratic County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox with threats of possible felony charges over her potential conflicts of interest. He’s yet to issue any warning to Republican Supervisor Denny Barney, who has potential conflicts on a different matter…
Today in Found at the Border: Officers at the port of entry in Nogales seized a very creepy mask that someone tried to bring back into the United States.A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman says an officer conducting a routine search of a car on Tuesday found “a suspicious…
