A bill to strengthen Arizona homeowners’ property protections may be close to the Governor’s Office.
The Arizona Legislature is wrapping up consideration of SB 1129, which would “allow a property owner or the property owner’s authorized agent to request, from law enforcement, the immediate removal of a person who is unlawfully occupying a residential dwelling and outlines conditions that determine if a person is unlawfully occupying a residential dwelling; [and] deem that a person who fails or refuses to surrender possession of the property as directed by a law enforcement office is committing trespass” – according to the purpose from the Arizona Senate.
In a statement to support the legislation, Senator Wendy Rogers, the bill sponsor, said, “The issue of squatters taking over people’s homes is growing exponentially across the nation, including here in Arizona. People are scheming to take over homeowner’s properties, posing a threat to their safety and property rights. Arizonans are particularly vulnerable because of the number of snowbirds that leave their homes unoccupied for months at a time. Although we have trespassing laws, it’s often difficult to prove a person is unlawfully occupying a home and can result in a lengthy legal battle.”
Rogers added, “I introduced SB 1129 to combat this issue by allowing a homeowner to request law enforcement immediately remove that person from the property. It’s important to note, the bill was written to address strangers occupying a home, not someone who has lived in the home with the owner or with permission of the owner. Therefore, it protects against situations involving domestic violence. We must put an end to this criminal activity. This bill will soon make its way to the Governor’s desk, and I urge her to sign it.”
The bill first passed the Arizona Senate in February with a bipartisan 18-8 vote (with four members not voting). It was amended in the State House and passed with another bipartisan result, 39-19 (with two members not voting). SB 1129 was transmitted back to the State Senate for concurrence, where it remains for the present time.
Senators Farnsworth, Kavanagh, Kern, Shope, and Wadsack, and Representative Gillette joined Rogers as cosponsors of the legislation.
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, a representative from the Manufactured Housing Communities of Arizona signed in to support the bill. Representatives from the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, Arizona National Organization for Women, State Conference NAACP, and WM E Morris Institute for Justice indicated their opposition to the proposal.
Last week, legislators held a press conference outside of the Arizona Capitol to mark the progress of the bill and urge its enactment into state law.
Squatters taking over homes in Arizona and across the country is a growing issue.
It's a threat to Arizona citizen's safety and property rights. Republican lawmakers are working to put an end to it. ⬇️
A new poll in the 2024 presidential election shows Donald J. Trump beating Joseph R. Biden by six points in the all-important battleground state of Arizona.
The poll was conducted by Echelon Insights, which surveyed registered voters in Arizona between March 12-19.
According to The Hill, which collected 35 presidential match-up polls out of the Grand Canyon State, Trump holds a 4.4% average lead over the Democrat incumbent. Of those polls, Trump has enjoyed leads since one released in November 2023 by Stand for Children, where the two were tied at 42 percent. Also considering these polls, the last time Biden experienced a lead in Arizona was in June 2023, where a poll from Public Opinion Strategies showed him with a two percent advantage over Trump.
Arizona’s eleven electoral votes will be critical for the eventual pathway to the White House by either candidate. In 2016, Trump won Arizona by 3.5% over Hillary Clinton. In 2020, Biden won Arizona by a razor-thin margin of 0.3%.
Both political parties are especially motivated in a presidential year within the state, but even more so when they look at everything else at stake for the future. There’s an open U.S. Senate seat, control of the Arizona Legislature, and a plethora of ballot initiatives for voters to work through in the November General Election.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
A bill to increase governance on cell phones in public schools was vetoed by Arizona’s Democrat governor.
Last week, Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed HB 2793, which would have “require[d] each school district governing board and charter school governing body to prescribe and enforce policies and procedures that govern student access to the internet and limit student use of wireless communications devices during the school day.”
Governor Hobbs Vetoes Rep. Beverly Pingerelli’s #HB2793 to Keep Cellphones Out of the Classroom
“There is a growing body of research that clearly links the use of wireless devices like cell phones to increased negative social harms among our youth,” said Education Committee… pic.twitter.com/8IyLmfDCn3
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) April 12, 2024
In a statement to House Speaker Ben Toma, Hobbs said, “This legislation establishes an unnecessary mandate for an issue schools are already addressing.”
The sponsor of the proposal, State House Education Committee Chairwoman Beverly Pingerelli, expressed her disappointment over the governor’s action, saying, “There is a growing body of research that clearly links the use of wireless devices like cell phones to increased negative social harms among our youth. Arizona middle and high schools today are flooded with students glued to screens. It’s an epidemic that is impacting everything from teen depression and anxiety, increased childhood obesity, and decreased academic achievement.”
Pingerelli added, “As a former school board member, I believe in local solutions. This is why my legislation called on school boards to develop policies and procedures to limit the use of devices for students. It called for sensible solutions and reasonable exceptions. The goal is to have personal devices ‘away for the day’ so students can engage and learn. Today, schools feel powerless to enforce even mild restrictions. The results are evident on campuses everywhere.”
The bill first passed the State House in February with a 31-28 vote (with one seat vacant). After being transmitted to the State Senate, it passed earlier this month with a 16-13 vote (with one member not voting).
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from the Arizona Association of County School Superintendents, Arizona School Administrators Association, and Arizona School Boards Association endorsed the legislation.
Chairwoman Pingerelli’s press release noted that legislative Democrats opposed her legislation “despite no formal opposition and not one person testifying against the bill.”
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne also weighed in on the news. He said, “Anyone with a minimum of empathy would empathize with teachers who try to teach while students are scrolling on their cell phones. Every instructional method is precious. A teacher should not have to put up with that interference with instruction.”
Horne added, “Cell phones have also become the major way in which students are bullied. It is enough that they get bullied on their cell phones when they’re away from school. It should not be happening while they are in school trying to learn, so that the bullying occurs 24 hours a day. To permit that bullying to go on 24 hours a day shows a lack of empathy for the students.”
The Republican schools’ chief shared the results of a recent poll in the state showing that 62.75% of respondent parents supported the increased regulations on their children’s cell phones in schools.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Another election-related bill was vetoed by Arizona’s Democrat Governor.
On Wednesday, Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed HB 2393, which would have “require[d] political parties that choose to select a nominee for president by a vote that is open to the entire political party membership to provide a method of voting to uniformed services or overseas citizens and persons with disabilities.”
Governor Hobbs Vetoes Legislation Ensuring Voting Rights for Disabled and Overseas Military Members
“Governor Hobbs’ decision to veto this bill is not only irresponsible but also detrimental to the democratic rights of some of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Representative… pic.twitter.com/4OYIfAzP2q
— Arizona House Republicans (@AZHouseGOP) April 11, 2024
In a letter provided to House Speaker Ben Toma, Hobbs explained the reason behind her veto, writing, “If the state were to change the manner in which political parties hold their own elections, it would be important to reflect bipartisan agreement.”
Republican State Representative Alexander Kolodin, the sponsor of the bill, was outraged by the governor’s action. He said, “Governor Hobbs’ decision to veto this bill is not only irresponsible but also detrimental to the democratic rights of some of our most vulnerable citizens. This action leaves a critical aspect of our state law ambiguous, failing to secure the voting rights of individuals with disabilities and our dedicated servicemembers. At a time when ensuring access to the democratic process should be of utmost importance, this veto represents a significant step backward. It’s as if the Governor believes maintaining a murky legal landscape is preferable to granting clear and equitable voting rights to all Arizonans. This isn’t just about policy – it’s about ensuring every voice is heard and valued in our democracy.”
The proposal first passed the Arizona House of Representatives in early February with a 31-24 vote (with two members not voting and three seats vacant). The Arizona Senate then amended the bill and approved that version with a 16-12 vote (with two members not voting) late last month. The House concurred with the Senate’s changes, voting 31-28 (with one member not voting) to transmit the legislation to the Governor’s Office.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona legislative Republicans are calling on their leadership to send a border-related measure to the voters in November.
On March 28, a group of Arizona House Republicans signed a letter, requesting that Speaker Ben Toma and Senate President Warren Petersen “convene a special committee hearing, whereby Texas-style border security legislation can be promptly advanced and placed on the ballot.”
Arizonans will not have the opportunity to vote on Texas-style border legislation unless leadership takes action. We are calling on them to do just that! pic.twitter.com/sSsXuNp74d
— Rep. Alexander Kolodin (@realAlexKolodin) March 28, 2024
The members wrote that they “stand united with our brothers and sisters in the Senate in this body’s ongoing efforts to curb crimes against our citizens and prevent the ongoing invasion of this state.” They stated their resolve to “no longer allow continued cooperation with criminal international cartels, foreign countries, NGO’s, and the immigration industrial complex to make Arizona their staging ground and open-door funnel to destroy our Republic.”
According to the letter, the Republicans asserted their knowledge that “this Governor will not take action,” adding that Hobbs “has already vetoed several common-sense border security measures,” prompting the desire to act.
The next day, Representative Alexander Kolodin posted an update on his “X” account, sharing that he was “informed that the legislature will be having a ‘border day’ to introduce and hear ballot referrals before the end of session.”
Update, I am informed that the legislature will be having a "border day" to introduce and hear ballot referrals before the end of session! https://t.co/nhgYhrpiPi
— Rep. Alexander Kolodin (@realAlexKolodin) March 29, 2024
Last month, Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed SB 1231, the Arizona Border Invasion Act, which was sponsored by Senator Janae Shamp. The bill would have “ma[de] it unlawful for a person who is an alien (unlawful immigrant) to enter Arizona from a foreign nation at any location other than a lawful port of entry and outline[d] penalties for violations of illegally entering Arizona and provide[d] immunity from civil liability and indemnification for state and local government officials, employees and contractors who enforce this prohibition” – according to the purpose from the state Senate.
In her veto letter to Senate President Warren Petersen, Hobbs said, “This bill does not secure our border, will be harmful for communities and businesses in our state, and burdensome for law enforcement personnel and the state judicial system. Further, this bill presents significant constitutional concerns and would be certain to mire the State in costly and protracted litigation.”
Anti-immigrant legislation to score cheap political points has no place in our state. SB1231 does not secure our border. Instead, it demonizes our communities, hurts businesses and farmers, and burdens law enforcement and our judicial system.
— Governor Katie Hobbs (@GovernorHobbs) March 5, 2024
Shamp vowed that members of her party would continue to push forward solutions to combat the border crisis, saying, “The Republican-controlled Legislature will continue to prioritize closing our border and providing law enforcement with the tools they need. This veto is a slap in the face to them, Arizona’s victims of border-related crimes, and other citizens who will inevitably feel the wrath of this border invasion in one way, shape, or form at the hands of Hobbs and Biden.”
🚨FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs Blocks Senate Republican Bill Protecting Arizonans from Border-Related Crimes pic.twitter.com/pMgyTEiBgX
