by Jonathan Eberle | Nov 19, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona voters could soon decide on sweeping changes to the state’s election rules under a new ballot referral filed by Sen. Shawnna Bolick (R-LD20), marking the latest push by Republican lawmakers to overhaul election procedures ahead of the 2026 cycle. Bolick submitted the measure, SCR 1001, over the weekend. The proposal seeks to place several election-related requirements directly into state law—changes lawmakers say are intended to bolster public confidence following years of political tension and disputes surrounding Arizona’s voting processes.
“Election integrity is paramount to maintain our Republic,” Bolick said, describing the measure as a direct response to years of public calls for tighter verification and clearer rules. “It’s time we give [voters] the chance to secure those protections permanently.” If approved by the Legislature and then by voters in November 2026, the ballot referral would require documented proof of citizenship before a ballot is issued to any voter; end early voting at 7 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day, shifting Arizona’s voting schedule and creating firmer deadlines for processing ballots; and mandate government-issued identification for both in-person voting and early ballots.
Republicans argue these standards are necessary to ensure the accuracy and security of election results. Bolick said the proposal is designed to “put voters – not bureaucrats, not activists, and not foreign interests – back in charge of how our elections are run.” Bolick has introduced similar legislation in the past, including bills to prohibit foreign donations in Arizona elections and proposals to speed up vote counting—efforts she often frames as moving Arizona closer to “Florida-style” same-day reporting.
SCR 1001 will be taken up during the 2026 legislative session, which begins January 12. If it clears both chambers, the measure will bypass the governor and head directly to voters. The proposal is expected to draw both support and criticism as the Legislature debates the balance between election security and voter access—a fault line that has defined Arizona’s election-law discussions for several years.
Supporters say the measure would strengthen trust and accountability. For now, the question heads to the Legislature, where SCR 1001 is set to become a key part of the debate over how Arizona runs its elections.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Sep 7, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona Senate Ethics Committee Chairwoman Shawnna Bolick has referred an ethics complaint against Sen. Analise Ortiz to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for review, citing allegations that involve federal law enforcement.
The complaint, filed on September 2nd, accuses Ortiz of interfering with federal immigration enforcement operations in the state. Bolick announced Wednesday that she will formally notify federal prosecutors, saying the allegations fall under their jurisdiction.
“I take this complaint very seriously. Doxing federal ICE agents is not only reckless, it endangers lives and undermines the rule of law,” Bolick said in a statement.
The referral comes as the Senate Ethics Committee has yet to meet in 2025. Bolick said the panel must first adopt its operating rules before it can consider the complaint. Once that step is complete, she added, the committee will review the case “strictly adhering to constitutional standards, as well as applicable state and local laws.”
Bolick distributed the complaint to committee members and Ortiz in a single email “to ensure full transparency,” she said. The issue also connects to Bolick’s legislative record. In 2021, she sponsored HB 2502, a bill signed into law that makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to electronically distribute someone else’s personal information without their consent, with intent to provoke harassment. At the time, it was the first state-level measure addressing the online misuse of personal data.
Until the U.S. Attorney’s Office completes its review, Bolick said, the Senate committee will hold off on further action.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Sep 1, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Two Arizona lawmakers are criticizing recent safety reforms announced by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR), arguing that the measures come too late to address a crisis that has already cost dozens of lives inside state prisons.
State Senator Shawnna Bolick and Representative Walt Blackman said last week that while steps such as deploying body cameras and forming a Violence Reduction Workgroup mark progress, they fall short of the urgent changes needed to prevent further loss of life.
According to ADCRR, 57 people have died in state prisons so far this year, including at least 11 homicides. Senator Bolick, who chairs the Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs & Government Efficiency, said those numbers underscore the urgency of reform.
“The department’s announcement, which appears to have been driven by the threat of federal oversight, comes far too late for many,” Bolick said. “Body cameras are a positive development, but they should have been implemented long before legislative scrutiny forced the issue.”
Representative Blackman, chair of the House Committee on Government, pointed to what he described as inadequate support for the Independent Correctional Oversight Office created under SB 1507. He argued that the office cannot fulfill its role without proper funding from Governor Katie Hobbs’ administration.
“A press release is not a substitute for the resources and accountability this office needs to function,” Blackman said. “Transparency and oversight are essential if we want to prevent violent incidents like the recent inmate murders in Tucson.”
Both lawmakers also criticized what they view as a reactive approach by ADCRR Director Ryan Thornell. While acknowledging the department’s new training and workforce development programs, they said those initiatives should have been prioritized earlier.
“Director Thornell must demonstrate that safety within prison walls is a priority from day one, not a response to external pressure,” Bolick said.
Blackman added that measurable improvements are needed before lawmakers and the public can have confidence in the reforms. “Announcements alone won’t keep staff or inmates safe,” he said. “We need proof that violence is being reduced, reentry is safer, and the culture inside Arizona prisons is truly changing.”
The debate comes amid heightened scrutiny of Arizona’s correctional system, which has faced criticism in recent years over safety, staffing shortages, and inmate conditions.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jul 6, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Governor Katie Hobbs signed legislation Wednesday creating a new Independent Correctional Oversight Office for Arizona’s prison system—but critics say the move rings hollow, as the Governor declined to provide any funding to make the office functional.
Senate Bill 1507, introduced by Senator Shawnna Bolick, was designed to increase accountability and transparency within the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR). The bill comes amid heightened scrutiny of the state’s prison system following recent inmate deaths and reports of systemic failures.
But while the bill was signed into law, supporters say its impact has been effectively neutralized by the Governor’s refusal to allocate funding to the new office. “I’m glad to see Senator Bolick’s SB 1507 signed into law. This is a long-overdue step toward accountability in our corrections system,” said Rep. Walt Blackman. “But a law without funding is just a press release.”
Senator Bolick, who chairs the Senate Regulatory Affairs & Government Efficiency Committee, expressed frustration with the Governor’s decision, accusing her of prioritizing appearances over action.
“Signing a bill and refusing to fund it is like buying a car and not putting anyone in the driver’s seat,” Bolick said. “The Governor is selling the illusion of progress while withholding the tools the office needs to function.”
The oversight office was envisioned as a neutral body to monitor Arizona’s prison system, investigate abuse, and ensure transparency—functions advocates say are urgently needed.
Supporters of the bill argue that the Governor’s rejection of all related budget requests undermines the very accountability the legislation was meant to establish. Without staff, resources, or operational funding, the office exists only on paper.
Bolick is now urging the Governor to take immediate steps to rectify the situation, suggesting Hobbs find funds either within her own office or by reallocating money from another agency.
“If she believes in this office,” Bolick said, “she needs to fund it.” For now, the Independent Correctional Oversight Office remains a concept without a functioning framework—leaving reform advocates wondering when, or if, oversight will become reality in Arizona’s prison system.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jun 23, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona lawmakers have taken a significant step to strengthen protections for domestic animals with the final legislative passage of Senate Bill 1658, a measure designed to broaden the scope of what constitutes animal cruelty under state law. The bill, sponsored by Senator Shawnna Bolick, now heads to Governor Katie Hobbs for consideration.
SB 1658 aims to crack down on neglect and abuse by explicitly requiring pet owners and caregivers to provide essential care, including timely medical attention. The legislation adds legal consequences for those who intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly fail to prevent unnecessary suffering of animals under their custody or control.
“How we treat our animal friends says a lot about our society,” said Senator Bolick following the Senate vote. “There are too many stories of animal cruelty around Arizona, leading to the necessity of this legislation to help protect their well-being. These innocent animals are voiceless, but when they suffer, it speaks volumes.”
The measure passed both legislative chambers with bipartisan support. Advocates say the bill fills a critical gap in existing law by clearly defining minimum standards of care and reinforcing the responsibility of animal owners to act in the best interest of their pets’ health.
Dr. Steven Hansen, President and CEO of the Arizona Humane Society, praised the bill’s advancement. “This landmark victory is a powerful testament to what can be achieved when passionate individuals come together to champion change,” Hansen said. “It would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our steadfast advocates who stood up for the voiceless… and the fierce leadership of the bill sponsor, Senator Shawnna Bolick.”
SB 1658 will mark a significant milestone in Arizona’s efforts to prevent animal abuse and promote responsible pet ownership.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
