Arizona Legislature- 2025- Fifty-seventh Legislature- First Regular Session
2025 LWVAZ LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY & ACTION
Legislative Wrap-up:
Described variously as a train wreck, dumpster fire, topsy-turvy, and quarrelsome (Governor description), the 2025 legislative session of the Fifty-seventh Legislature's First Regular Session concluded on June 27 with a bipartisan budget signed just in time to keep the government functioning. Gov. Hobbs broke her own veto record, vetoing 174 bills (many of which were voter suppression bills that the league opposed), compared with 143 in 2023, her first year in office.
Although there were some bipartisan wins, the consideration of voting rights and election security bills was contentious and partisan. Many of these are expected to return next session, possibly as legislative referrals. Unlike bills that must pass through the governor's office to be approved or vetoed, legislative referrals (Senate or House Concurrent Resolutions) to amend the law or the Arizona Constitution are sent to the Arizona Secretary of State to be placed on the ballot. Legislative referrals serve as an end-run around the governor and put often publicly unpopular measures on the ballot.
2025 the numbers
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Arizona Legislature
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LWVAZ Legislative activity
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Introduced 1854 bills
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Tracked 395
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Heard 836 bills
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Took action on 225
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Signed into law 265
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Took Action on 33
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Vetoed 174
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Took action on 66
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Compilation of LWV of Arizona Calls to Action
The legislative referrals from the 2025 session that will appear on the ballot in 2026 are:
House Concurrent Resolution 2021, which aims to cap local municipal sales taxes on groceries.
House Concurrent Resolution 2055, which designates drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 1004, which seeks to prohibit the state from taxing drivers based on the number of miles driven.
Looking Ahead to 2026
'Sources indicate the majority party will pursue the voter suppression bills that failed in 2025. There will be ongoing efforts to get referrals on the ballot, an emphasis on border security, and renewed efforts to address public school funding and vouchers. Despite the recognition that bipartisan bills have a better chance through the legislative process and on the governor’s desk, only time will tell if the majority party adopts that approach.