Arizona Capitol Times

2 months ago | azcapitoltimes.com | Bob Christie

The state’s largest electricity provider and other utilities will get a second chance Monday to see the Arizona House consider legislation shielding them from much of the liability they currently face if their equipment starts a catastrophic wildfire. The measure backed by Arizona Public Service Co. and other electric providers failed by a 32-28 vote last week over concerns about the new liability shield.

2 months ago | azcapitoltimes.com | Howard Fischer

Republican legislative leaders are hoping a new administration in Washington will help the state block anyone who does not provide proof of citizenship from voting in future presidential races. In a letter to Pam Bondi, the new attorney general, House Speaker Steve Montenegro and Senate President Warren Petersen want the Department of Justice to now take their side in the fight over who can cast a ballot.

2 months ago | azcapitoltimes.com | Howard Fischer

Gov. Katie Hobbs says Sen. Jake Hoffman was not entitled to legislative immunity to avoid being cited last month for driving 24 miles an hour over the speed limit. Ditto, she said, of any other lawmaker stopped in the past or in the future by state troopers for going that fast. The governor on Wednesday cited a 2018 executive order signed by Doug Ducey, her predecessor, which remains in effect.

2 months ago | azcapitoltimes.com | Howard Fischer

Gov. Katie Hobbs delivered her promised veto Tuesday of a Republican bill to revamp the deadline to turn in early ballots. But Hobbs, in her message to lawmakers, chose to focus her objections to HB2703 on a lesser-known provision of the measure, one that she said would undermine the system that allows people to get their ballots by mail without having to make annual requests.

2 months ago | azcapitoltimes.com | Howard Fischer

State lawmakers are proposing two diametrically opposed requirements on what state and local officials should be doing about illegal immigration. But only the one sponsored by Senate President Warren Petersen is likely to get a hearing. The Gilbert Republican wants to mandate that county sheriffs and the state Department of Corrections enter into agreement with the federal government to identify those in their custody who are not here legally.