by Matthew Holloway | Feb 3, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Courts across Arizona will host statewide oath reaffirmation ceremonies for legal professionals on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, as part of Arizona Rule of Law Day, officials with the Arizona Supreme Court and county court systems announced.
The events, scheduled simultaneously in all 15 Arizona counties, will invite attorneys and other legal professionals to reaffirm their Oath of Admission in local courthouse ceremonies. The reaffirmation ceremonies represent a formal recommitment to upholding the rule of law and administering justice.
The statewide celebration coincides with several milestones in American history, including the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on Feb. 12, and Arizona’s 113th statehood anniversary on Feb. 14.
In announcing the ceremonies, Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer said renewing the oath on these historic dates underscores the importance of the rule of law in American governance. “On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, lawyers across Arizona will come together to renew their oath — a reminder that the rule of law depends on the daily commitment of those sworn to uphold it,” Timmer said. “Reaffirming that oath on February 12, Lincoln’s Birthday, honors our nation’s founding ideals and our shared responsibility to serve justice with integrity and respect for the Constitution.”
Chief Justice Timmer’s remarks will be available for livestream and replay by courts statewide.
As of this report, the Arizona Judicial Branch provided scheduling and location information for ten of the state’s 15 counties.
- Apache County — 11:00 a.m.
Superior Court in Apache County, 70 W. 3rd St. S., St. Johns, AZ — Presiding Judge Michael Latham.
- Cochise County — 11:30 a.m.
Cochise County Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 1415 W. Melody Lane, Building G, Bisbee, AZ — Presiding Judge David Thorn.
- Coconino County — 11:30 a.m.
Superior Court in Coconino County, 200 N. San Francisco St., Flagstaff, AZ — Presiding Judge Ted S. Reed.
- Graham & Greenlee Counties — 12:00 p.m.
Superior Court in Graham County, 800 Main Street, Safford, AZ — Presiding Judge Michael Peterson and Presiding Judge Jeremy Ford.
- La Paz County — 10:00 a.m.
Superior Court in La Paz County, 1316 Kofa Ave., Parker, AZ — Presiding Judge Marcus Kelley.
- Maricopa County — 10:00 a.m.
State Courts Building, 1501 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ — Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer and Presiding Judge Pamela Gates. Livestream available.
- Mohave County — 12:00 p.m.
Mohave County Board of Supervisors Auditorium, 700 W. Beale St., Kingman, AZ — Presiding Judge Steve Moss.
- Pima County — 4:00 p.m.
Superior Court in Pima County, 110 W. Congress St., Tucson, AZ — Presiding Judge Danelle B. Liwski.
- Pinal County — 11:00 a.m.
Superior Court in Pinal County, 971 N. Jason Lopez Circle, Building A, Florence, AZ — Presiding Judge Joseph Georgini.
- Yavapai County — 4:00 p.m.
Superior Court in Yavapai County, Historic Courtroom, 120 S. Cortez St., Prescott, AZ — Presiding Judge John Napper.
The reaffirmation ceremonies aim to highlight the central role that legal professionals play in a justice system where laws are applied fairly and equally. The events are being organized jointly by the Arizona Supreme Court, State Bar of Arizona, and courts statewide.
Yavapai County Presiding Judge John Napper said in a statement, “The Yavapai County Superior Court is honored to host this event. It is always important to take time to remember why we do what we do. I encourage all legal professionals to attend and reaffirm their dedication to the rule of law and justice.”
Correction: A previous version of this story listed the incorrect names of the some of the presiding judges. The story has been updated with their correct names.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Feb 1, 2026 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Senate Majority Whip Frank Carroll (R-LD28) introduced a measure on Tuesday, urging the U.S. Congress to clearly define and limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulatory authority. Carroll and his cosponsors argue that ambiguous federal power threatens jobs and economic growth in Arizona. The proposal, SCM 1004, was advanced by the Arizona Senate Republican Caucus earlier this week.
Carroll’s measure calls on Congress to affirm its role in setting national environmental policy and to draw explicit boundaries around the EPA’s authority under federal law. The memorial highlights that, under the Clean Air Act, the EPA is charged with setting and reviewing National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) every five years to protect public health and welfare, but argues that compliance requirements have grown burdensome for businesses and workers.
“Americans deserve clean air, land, and water, but they also deserve an economy that can grow without unnecessary federal interference,” Carroll said in a statement distributed by the Arizona Senate Republican Caucus. He added that the measure urges Congress to ensure EPA regulations are “grounded in law and sound science” and do not impose undue economic restrictions.
In additional remarks included in the memorial, Carroll said he is seeking to define the limits of EPA authority to prevent what he described as regulatory overreach.
“I am working to clearly define the EPA’s powers to prevent regulatory overreach that negatively impacts Arizona’s economy,” Carroll said. “While the Clean Air Act allows for specific emissions regulations, the EPA must not exceed its authority or violate fundamental principles of separation of powers. By preventing bureaucratic overreach, we can protect both the environment and the economic opportunities Arizona families and businesses rely on.”
SCM 1004 directs the Arizona Secretary of State to transmit copies of the memorial to leadership in both chambers of Congress and all members of Arizona’s federal delegation. The measure notes that while the EPA’s mission is to enforce environmental laws as intended by Congress, concerns over overreach have prompted states to call for clearer statutory limits on the agency’s powers.
Carroll’s push reflects broader national debates over the scope of federal environmental regulation. Critics of recent EPA proposals have warned that aggressive regulatory action could affect industries including agriculture, energy production, and water resources. Such debates have included congressional hearings examining the consequences of EPA actions on sectors like American agriculture and rural economies.
The memorial challenges key assumptions underlying EPA policies formulated under Democratic administrations and proponents of policy such as the ‘Green New Deal’, stating:
- “Greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane are not acutely toxic like other hazardous pollutants and have no direct impact on human health;”
- “There is no consensus as to whether global warming is a problem or a benefit or how current temperatures fit into the broader climate context;”
- “Global temperatures, droughts, floods and hurricanes have not increased with increasing global CO2 emissions;”
The memorial further refutes the EPA’s authority regarding greenhouse gas emissions, stating directly: “The EPA has no explicit statutory authority to regulate greenhouse gases.”
The memorial comes amid ongoing statewide discussions about the balance between environmental protection and economic growth, with Arizona lawmakers questioning the appropriate reach of federal agencies in areas ranging from air and water quality to land use and energy development.
SCM 1004 was co-sponsored by a group of Republican Arizona Senators, including Hildy Angius (R-LD30), David Gowan (R-LD19), Kevin Payne (R-LD27), Janae Shamp (R-LD29), and Thomas “T.J.” Shope (R-LD16).
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Jan 31, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
A bill requiring local law enforcement agencies to notify federal immigration authorities when arresting illegal immigrants advanced out of committee Monday in the Arizona Legislature.
Senate Bill 1055, sponsored by Sen. Wendy Rogers (R-LD7), cleared the Military Affairs and Border Security Committee with Republican support on Monday. The bill would require local law enforcement to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) “immediately when a law enforcement official or agency arrests an individual who is unlawfully present in the United States.”
“When someone is under arrest and in the country illegally, local officers should be able to notify federal authorities without hesitation,” Rogers said in a statement. “Clear laws enhance public safety and honor those who serve, including our veterans who defend the rule of law. Arizona should prioritize clarity over confusion. If an individual is unlawfully present and under arrest, local officers must be able to inform federal authorities immediately to prevent dangerous individuals from being released back into our neighborhoods. This legislation promotes cooperation, upholds the rule of law, and respects our public safety personnel.”
The legislation is intended to clarify existing federal and state statutes governing the sharing of immigration status information among agencies and to establish specific circumstances in which notification is mandatory.
During the committee hearing, the bill drew Republican support and Democratic opposition. Rural Arizona Action, which OpenSecrets identifies as a Democrat-aligned advocacy group, argued that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is “out of control” during the hearing, according to AZCentral. The outlet reported that disruptive protesters interrupted the hearing on January 26 using whistles and chanting “Shame! Shame!”
SB 1055 passed out of the committee by a 4-3 vote, advancing in the legislative process with Arizona Senate GOP leadership stating, “SB 1055 is set for a full Senate vote after passing the Military Affairs and Border Security Committee with Republican support, despite Democratic opposition and hostile rhetoric during yesterday’s hearing.”
However, according to Legiscan, the bill is set to be heard first by the Senate Rules Committee before being considered on the floor, per standard legislative procedure. As of this report, the bill does not yet appear on the Committee’s agenda.
Senate Republican leaders said in the press release that the measure was designed to reduce confusion for officers on the front lines and “ensure that communities can trust that the law is applied consistently.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Jan 30, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Arizona House Republican Majority advanced five of six bills aimed at aligning state law with key provisions of the Trump administration’s signature legislation, H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, during a meeting of the House Health and Human Services Committee on Monday.
According to a pre-meeting press release from the Arizona House GOP Conference, the six-bill package focuses on Medicaid eligibility verification, reporting requirements, rural health workforce issues, and related health policy changes. GOP leaders said the measures are intended to mirror select federal reforms included in H.R. 1, including restoring accountability to Medicaid, strengthening rural health care access and workforce participation, and protecting taxpayer resources.
The following bills were identified by House GOP leadership as part of the package:
Medicaid-related measures:
- HB 2796 (Rep. Michael Carbone, R-LD25) — AHCCCS; enrollment verification; presumptive eligibility: Strengthens eligibility verification for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) by requiring cross-agency data matching to verify income, residency, deaths, and out-of-state activity. The bill limits reliance on self-reporting where not federally required and tightens presumptive eligibility primarily to children and pregnant women. Advanced 7–5.
- HB 2689 (Rep. Ralph Heap, R-LD10) — Hospitals; patient immigration status; reporting: Establishes reporting requirements related to hospital patient immigration status. Advanced 7–5.
Public assistance, health access, and workforce-related measures
- HB 2396 (Rep. Leo Biasiucci, R-LD30) — SNAP; allowed purchases; waiver: Addresses Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) policy options, including purchase eligibility and waiver authority. Advanced as amended 7–5.
- HB 2190 (Rep. Julie Willoughby, R-LD13) — Physician Assistant Licensure Compact: Seeks to join Arizona in an interstate compact to facilitate licensure portability for physician assistants. Advanced 11–1.
- HB 2437 (Rep. Selina Bliss, R-LD1) — EMS reciprocity; compact: Would establish an interstate compact for emergency medical services credential reciprocity. Held.
- HB 2233 (Rep. Walt Blackman, R-LD7) — Arizona Rural Health Transformation Fund; reporting: Requires additional reporting related to the Arizona Rural Health Transformation Fund. Advanced as amended/strike everything 7–5.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed by the U.S. Congress under budget reconciliation and signed into federal law on July 4, 2025. It includes broad federal policy changes affecting tax policy, Medicaid funding, SNAP, border security, and other areas.
The House Health and Human Services Committee meeting was open to the public and available for viewing online via the Arizona Legislature’s official video player.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Jan 29, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Arizona Republican Party’s annual meeting on this past Saturday drew less robust attendance than expected and was characterized by prolonged delays and organizational challenges, even as delegates elected Sergio Arellano as the party’s new chair.
The meeting, held in Prescott Valley, was scheduled to conclude by approximately 5 p.m. but it extended into the evening as party officials conducted hand counts and resolved procedural disputes. Leadership results — including the chair’s race — were not announced until after 8 p.m.
The Epoch Times Arizona reported that the meeting was “over an hour late getting started,” and noted rising tensions inside. Covering the opening remarks by former-Chair Gina Swoboda, the outlet wrote, “Swoboda is effectively filibustering while the meeting can’t officially begin—opening with a unity pep talk amid ongoing controversy over her and school choice.”
Several attendees described the meeting environment and turnout on social media. Independent journalist Christy Kelly wrote, “FACT: The turnout for the AZGOP state meeting was significantly depressed,” responding to a post from gubernatorial candidate Karrin Taylor Robson, who described the turnout as “amazing.”
Columnist Rachel Alexander noted the significant delay in her coverage via X, writing, “The AZGOP’s election is now going on at 6:20 pm (it’s supposed to be over by 5 pm, started at 8 am).”
Delegates conducted leadership elections during the meeting. After two rounds of voting for state party chairmanship, Sergio Arellano, an Army combat veteran and Republican activist, won the runoff against former First Vice Chair Pam Kirby. Arellano succeeds Gina Swoboda, the outgoing chair, who is pursuing a Congressional Campaign in Arizona’s District 1.
Before voting commenced, delegates debated whether to seat 16 “fractional” state committeemen whose party positions had been challenged under interpretive readings of the bylaws. The floor ultimately voted to seat those members, allowing the leadership election to proceed without a formal challenge.
The prolonged process included a full hand count of ballots for multiple leadership roles, as well as reportedly 20 proposed bylaw changes, which contributed to the extended meeting timeline. As reported by the Epoch Times Arizona, debate on the bylaw changes was prohibited, allowing “no member discussion, no back-and-forth, no amendments from the floor.”
The outlet noted, “People in the room are visibly upset and uncomfortable about the decision to move forward with zero debate on such a large set of changes.”
Over forty minutes after the meeting’s conclusion at 8 p.m., Garret Archer, Data and Political Analyst for ABC15, wrote, “Only a few state committee members are left waiting for the results of the runoff chair vote.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
