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Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs inherited Janet Napolitano’s veto stamp when she took over the Ninth Floor — the last Democratic governor in Arizona to face a GOP-controlled Legislature. And she’s using it. 

On April 18, Hobbs shattered the veto record set in 2005 by fellow Democrat Janet Napolitano. As of June 20, Hobbs had vetoed 143 bills — and the legislative session isn't over yet.

Here are all the proposed measures Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed in the 2023 session so far.

Governor's Office

Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoes the Arizona Legislature's budget on Feb. 16, 2023.

Basic budget plan

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs on Feb. 15 vetoed a partisan budget sent to her by legislative Republicans — a plan she described as hollow and one-sided. Because of the way the budget is prepared, Hobbs vetoed 13 measures when she rejected the plan. In a statement, Hobbs said the budget was an “insult” to Arizonans who need leaders to address affordable housing, invest in public education and put money back in their pockets. “Rather than tackling difficult choices, this budget presents Arizonans with false choices,” Hobbs said. “The purely-partisan budget says that we can’t invest in our state now and invest in our future. It says that we can’t address the challenges of today and save for the challenges of tomorrow. It says we can’t disagree with each other and work together in the best interest of the state.” The $15.8 billion spending plan introduced by Republicans and passed on party lines was pitched as a skinny budget — a baseline spending proposal that at least keeps the government afloat if negotiations over other spending goes sour.

Senate Bill 1184 — Eliminating tax on rentals

The bill vetoed  Feb. 23 would have eliminated taxes on apartments and rental homes. Hobbs said there was no guarantee landlords would pass along the savings to renters. The measure includes language requiring the savings flow to renters, but legislative lawyers say that may be unconstitutional. “If we are going to promise relief to renters, it's important that we are able to ensure they actually receive it,” Hobbs wrote in a veto letter. “For working families faced with ever-increasing rental prices, this proposal just doesn't fit the bill.”

Senate Bill 1248 — Eliminating the 'sunrise process'

Hobbs sided with doctors and against other medical providers in the latest round of an ongoing dispute over the process the latter group has to through to provide more services to the public. The governor on March 3 vetoed Senate Bill 1248 which would have eliminated the "sunrise process,'' one of the procedural hoops now required by health care professions seeking to expand their scope of practice. That involves additional hearings above and beyond actually getting legislators to change the law.

Senate Bill 1305 — Critical race theory in public schools

Arizona won't be banning what has been called critical race theory in public schools. In a brief message, Hobbs on March 9 vetoed legislation that its sponsor says would preclude schools from teaching what its prime sponsor called "pushing a destructive and racist ideology" in our schools. That is based on the assessment of Sen. J.D. Mesnard (R-Chandler) that some students are being taught that America as a whole is as racist country.

Senate Bill 1063 — Grocery tax

In a veto letter on March 28, the Democratic governor wrote that eliminating the grocery tax wouldn’t actually provide relief in municipalities that rely on that local revenue to fund services, like public safety. “It’s clear that this bill doesn’t actually eliminate costs for our residents,” Hobbs wrote. "It simply moves those costs around.” Republican lawmakers argued the bill would’ve eased the financial burden for Arizonans dealing with the inflated cost of groceries.

Senate Bill 1096 — Banks doing business with gun manufacturers and dealers

The bill would have barred banks and other firms in Arizona that do business with the state from refusing to do business with firearm companies. In a brief message to lawmakers on March 28, the governor accepted the arguments of the lobbyist for the Arizona Bankers Association that imposing such a requirement would result in some financial institutions choosing not to do business with state and local governments. And that would mean fewer banks bidding on government business.

Senate Bill 1024 — Tents and structures on public rights-of-way

Hobbs on March 30 struck down one bill that would’ve barred tents and other structures from public streets, highways, sidewalks or other rights-of-way.

Senate Bill 1250 — Religious exemption to certain vaccines

Hobbs rejected a measure on March 30 that would’ve enshrined a religious exemption to certain vaccines, like those for the flu or COVID-19, in Arizona law. Hobbs noted legal protections for religious beliefs already exist in federal law.

House Bill 2056 — Exempting some dry washes permit program

Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed HB 2056 on April 4, which would have exempted dry washes and similar arroyos that don't flow steadily from certain requirements dealing with the discharge of pollutants. The governor said it would create "regulatory confusion and uncertainty'' because it would conflict with provisions of what the federal government determines are "Waters of the United States'' which are subject to protections.

House Bill 2427 — Increase penalty for aggravated assault against pregnant victims

Hobbs rejected HB 2427, a proposal by Rep. Matt Gress (R-Phoenix) which would increase the maximum possible penalty for aggravated assault in a domestic violence situation if the assailant knew or had reason to know the victim was pregnant. Gress acknowledged he had not spoken with domestic violence advocacy organizations — other than the anti-abortion Center for Arizona Policy. And Marilyn Rodriguez, representing the Arizona Coalition to End Domestic Violence testified against it. Hobbs, in her veto message on April 4, cited the group's stance that the bill "will do nothing to deter domestic violence offenses or support pregnant victims.''

House Bill 2440 — Utilities prioritizing 'reliable and affordable electric service'

The bill vetoed April 4 would have required utilities to give top priority to providing "reliable and affordable electric service'' when planning new generation facilities. Sandy Bahr who lobbies for the Sierra Club said that is looking at things too narrowly. She said there are other factors ranging from air pollution to even the amount of water a particular type of power plant would use. Hobbs said HB 2440 was "unnecessary and creates regulatory uncertainty in instances where affordability and reliability may be at odds.''

House Bill 2472 — Social credit score

The bill vetoed April 4 would would have barred the state from requiring a bank or financial institution to use a "social credit score'' when evaluating whether to lend money to a customer.

House Bill 2586 — Limiting messages on highway billboards

Hobbs refused on April 5 to limit those digital signs above and adjacent to state roads to only traffic safety messages. In wielding her veto stamp again, the Democratic governor said she could not agree to the proposal by Rep. Neal Carter (R-San Tan Valley) that it's inappropriate to display anything beyond warnings about accidents ahead, driving times to certain points and just general "drive safe'' advisories. His bill sought to limit messages to those "directly related to transportation or highway safety,'' calling anything else "a little bit distracting.''

House Bill 2535 — Limiting cities' ability to regulate private wells

Hobbs rejected HB 2535, which would have limited the ability of cities that annex unincorporated areas to regulate private wells that already were there.

"Prohibiting a municipality form requiring even the most basic of safety standards and regulations for groundwater wells threatens the safety and quality of drinking water that public utilities provide to residents and businesses throughout Arizona," she wrote on April 5, saying these could impact "our precious drinking water."

House Bill 2437 — Approval for new transmission lines

Hobbs vetoed HB 2437 on April 5. Current laws require approval of the Power and Line Siting Committee any time a new transmission line is planned. The measure would have said that isn't necessary if the line is being placed on property owned by at least one owner of the proposed line.

House Bill 2477 — Affirming the Electoral College

Hobbs rejected HB 2477 on April 5, saying there was no reason for it. Crafted by Rep. Steve Montenegro (R-Goodyear) it had no legal effect. Instead, it simply expressed the opinion of the Legislature — or, at least the Republicans in the majority who voted for it — that the Electoral College is the best way of selecting the president because it involves all parts of the country in the process. Hobbs said if lawmakers want to express their preferences they could do that with a simple resolution, not something put into state statutes.

Senate Bill 1600 — Reporting requirements for abortions

Hobbs on April 6 rejected a proposal to spell out what procedures medical personnel must follow when a baby is born alive, even in situations where there is no chance of survival. "The bill is uniformly opposed by the medical community, and interferes with the relationship between a patient and doctor," Hobbs wrote. "It's simply not the state's role to make such difficult medical decisions for patients."

House Bill 2415 — Permanent early voting list change

HB 2415 would have removed individuals from the permanent early voting list if they miss an election cycle. In the letter April 6, Hobbs said she did not support the bill, as it would not make voting more accurate, accessible or secure. In approving the bill earlier this week, Republican Sen. John Kavanagh argued voters could easily get back on the early list.

Senate Bill 1074 — Tabulating machine rules

Hobbs vetoed SB 1074, a bill that said vote tabulating machines must be manufactured domestically. The measure, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Sonny Borrelli (R-Lake Havasu City), also would have required the equipment to meet or exceed security standards set by the U.S. Department of Defense. "The election equipment required by the bill, as well as the problem is purports to solve, does not exist," Hobbs wrote. "This bill neither strengthens our democracy, nor ensures that Arizonans can better exercise their fundamental right to vote."

Senate Bill 1009 — Punishment for damaging monuments

SB 1009 would have made defacing statues and monuments a more serious crime in Arizona. In her letter rejecting the measure April 6, Hobbs said Arizona “law already provides adequate tools to prosecute criminal damage in this bill, including Confederate monuments …”

Senate Bill 1253 — Sex offender notification

SB 1253 would have "required registered sex offender who is the legal guardian of a student to notify the school of their status," according to a March press release from Arizona House Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci. In her April 6 rejection of the measure, Hobbs said the state already has guidelines for the registration of sex offenders and the "Department of Public Safety remains best equipped to oversee all community notification."

House Bill 2322 — Ballot signature verification standards

The April 6 veto of HB 2322 on signature verification standards came as a bit of a surprise as 16 of the 29 House Democrats actually voted in support. It even included a change sought by Rep. Laura Terech (D-Phoenix). It would have spelled out in statute that procedures for verifying signatures on early ballot envelopes — procedures prepared by Hobbs as secretary of state — constitute "the minimum requirements for comparison of signatures." Any that could not be verified would have to be rejected. Hobbs said "the standards in this bill are already several years old" and they are better addressed in a separate election procedures manual.

Senate Bill 1166 — State job applicants without college degrees

Hobbs on April 7 vetoed legislation which would have barred state agencies from rejecting an applicant simply because he or she does not have a college degree. In her veto message, he governor said there's nothing wrong with the goal of SB 1166. Where it comes up short, she said, is that the mechanism it sought to set up is overly complex and cumbersome.

House Bill 2442 — Temporary non-expansion areas

HB 2442 would have allowed the creation of "temporary non-expansion areas'' for groundwater use. But Hobbs in her April 11 veto said these would not really address the long-term issues of rural pumping, saying such a district would provide less protection for aquifers than an already available "irrigation non-expansion area,'' lasts for only five years and provides greater protection for "grandfathered'' water rights of those already pumping.

House Bill 2212 — Trespassing on utility sites

HB 2212 would have expanded state laws to allow $10,000 fines against anyone who interferes with normal operations of utilities. "This bill will do little to deter threats to our critical facilities,'' the governor said in her April 11 veto message, adding that this conduct already is covered by existing state and federal laws.

Senate Bill 1109 — Firearm silencers

SB 1109 would have repealed a provision of Arizona law that prohibits the use of "silencers'' on weapons. In her April 11 veto letter, Hobbs said that would "make Arizonans less safe.'' But the bill and her action are largely legally meaningless as Arizonans can, in fact, purchase such devices now from licensed dealers as long as they have a proper federal permit.

Senate Bill 1027 — Increase penalties for fentanyl possession

SB 1027 would have increased the penalty for the possession and manufacture of the highly addictive narcotic fentanyl. The governor said in her April 11 veto letter that its provisions could undermine Arizona's "Good Samaritan Law'' which protects those who report overdoses by others from being arrested, charged or prosecuted.

Senate Bill 1005 — Parents legal fees

Saying it will only promote more litigation, Gov. Katie Hobbs on April 11 vetoed legislation that would let parents sue schools but escape having to pay legal fees if they lose. Sen. John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills) pointed out that, in general, when there is a lawsuit, the loser pays the costs incurred by the winner. His legislation sought to create a carve-out when the lawsuit is brought by a parent against a school district for violating any provision in the Parents' Bill of Rights.

Senate Bill 1236 — No fees for blockchain networks

SB 1236 would have prohibited local governments from taxing or assessing fees on anyone running a blockchain “node” — a device that runs software necessary to support a decentralized network — in their homes. The governor stated in her April 12 veto that the bill too broadly defines “blockchain technology.”

Senate Bill 1251 — Working animals

Local governments would have been barred from restricting, or prohibiting, the use of a “working animal” in lawful commerce or for an animal enterprise. Hobbs said in her April 12 veto the bill was a solution in search of a problem.

House Bill 2552 — No ranked-choice voting

HB 2552 was one of several legislative efforts by Republicans to curb the potential use of ranked-choice voting in Arizona. Hobbs said in her April 12 veto that ranked-choice voting is successfully used elsewhere in the country, but that's besides the point — because no Arizona jurisdiction uses ranked-choice voting, she said the bill was unnecessary.

House Bill 2675 — Terrorist drug cartels

HB 2675 would have declared that drug cartels are terrorist organizations. In her April 12 veto, Hobbs said that labeling cartels in this manner solved nothing, and is not a state function.

House Bill 2754 – Human smuggling enterprises

BB 2754 would have specified nongovernmental organizations can be held criminally liable for the crime of participating in a human smuggling operation. In her April 12 veto, Hobbs stated that the bill could have unintended consequences for organizations that support immigrants.

House Bill 2297 — Cases of fraudulent schemes and artifice

Hobbs rejected HB 2297on April 17, which would have said that prosecutors pursuing cases of fraudulent schemes and artifices are not required to establish that all of the unlawful acts occurred within the state. "This bill will lead to confusion where none currently exists,'' Hobbs said in her veto message. "Existing state law adequately outlines the jurisdictional issues addressed in this bill.''

House Bill 2319 — Conduct of elections

HB 2319 would have directed judges, when confronted with two conflicting interpretations of a state election law, to err on the side of which promotes more transparency. "This bill adds unnecessary language into statute and does not solve any of the real challenges facing election administration,'' the governor wrote on April 17. "I look forward to working with the Legislature on bills to do that.'' Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R-Scottsdale) who crafted the bill, acknowledged much of this wouldn't be necessary if lawmakers crafted clearer statutes.

House Bill 2332 — Firearms training for students

HB 2332, proposed by Rep.Selina Bliss (R-Scottsdale), would have required public and charter schools to provide "age-appropriate'' training in firearms safety to students in grades six through 12.

"Mandatory firearm safety training in schools is not the solution to gun violence prevention,'' the governor wrote on April 17. She said the requirement could have "immediate and long-term impacts'' on the health and well-being of students, teachers and parents, though Hobbs did not spell out what those were.

Senate Bill 1131 — Weapons on school campus

Proposed by Sen. Janae Shamp (R-Surprise), SB 1131 sought to create an exception to existing laws that preclude loaded guns on school property. It would have allowed parents who have a state-issued permit to carry a concealed weapon to keep it with them if they also have a child at that school. "Allowing more guns on campus will not make a campus safer,'' Hobbs wrote on April 17. "Then there's the fact that police officers, arriving at a school with an active-shooter situation, won't necessarily know who are the criminals who are armed and who are the parents.

House Bill 2379 — Hotel vouchers

Hobbs rejected HB 2379, which would have spelled out in state law that hotels and motels cannot be required to accept government-issued vouchers to house homeless people. "Hotels and motels in Arizona have never been required to accept a voucher to house someone, and no proposal to do so is under consideration here," the governor said April 18. Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, conceded the point when he pushed the legislation. But he said it is happening in Los Angeles and he did not want the practice to spread.

House Bill 2394 — No messing with guns (financially)

HB 2394 declared Arizona’s sovereign authority to prevent the state or any local governments therein from using resources to “enforce, administer or cooperate” with a law, treaty, order or rule that might create a “chilling effect” on gun ownership. Hobbs, in an April 18 veto letter, wrote that the bill would exempt the firearm industry from basic regulation that apply to all other industries.

House Bill 2474 — Student vaccinations

HB 2474, sponsored by Rep. Steve Montenegro (R-Goodyear), would have barred the health department from ever requiring students to get immunized against any ailment to attend school if the vaccine has received only "emergency use authorization" from the federal Food and Drug Administration.

"Vaccines are vitally important for the health and wellness of our state," the governor wrote on April 18, saying the legislation would "undermine public trust" in FDA-approved vaccines.

House Bill 2509 — Cottage foods

Hobbs rejected HB 2509 on April 18, which would have expanded the kinds of foods prepared in home kitchens could be sold in Arizona. Current law exempts certain kinds of "cottage foods" from oversight by the Arizona Department of Health Services. The veto was a surprise, as the measure had wide bipartisan support. "This bill would significantly increase the risk of food-borne illness by expanding the ability of cottage food vendors to sell high-risk foods," Hobbs wrote. "It fails to establish sufficient minimum standards for inspection or certification of home-based businesses, and could limit the ability of ADHS to investigate food-borne disease outbreaks."

House Bill 2691 — Chain-of-custody requirements for ballots

HB 2691 would have set out specific chain-of-custody requirements for handling ballots. "I am eager to work with the Legislature to advance legislation that strengthens our elections," Hobbs wrote April 18. "This bill, unfortunately, does not advance that goal."

Senate Bill 1021 — Attorney general’s duties

SB 1021 would have required the attorney general — now Democrat Kris Mayes — to defend whatever the legislature approves. "The attorney general like all other elected officials swears an oath to support the Constitution and laws of Arizona and the United States,'' the governor wrote in her April 18 veto letter. What that means, Hobbs said, is when the attorney general decides what to defend — and what not — she has to consider all of that.

Senate Bill 1091 — Transition services for prisoners

SB 1091 would’ve required the ARizona Department of Corrections to allow non-contracted private or nonprofit entities to help provide inmates with transition services when they’re released from prison. Hobbs wrote in her April 18 veto that the bill would result in less transparency and oversight over transition services.

Senate Bill 1101 — More power for third-party driver license providers

SB 1101 would have barred the Arizona Department of Transportation from prohibiting third-party driver license providers from printing electronic certificates of title, registration tabs or windshield stickers. In her April 18 veto, Hobbs stated that allowing third parties to print such labels poses a significant public safety risk.

Senate Bill 1262 — Felony violation rearrest

SB 1262 would have required a court to promptly issue a warrant for the rearrest of someone who is charged with a felony while on probation.

"This bill raises due process concerns," Hobbs wrote April 18.

Senate Bill 1455 — Vacant public offices

Current law states that if a person holding a public office fails to discharge the duties of that office for three consecutive months, the office is vacant — with the exception of legislative offices. SB 1455 would’ve cut that time in half, to 45 days. In her April 18 veto letter, Hobbs said she appreciated the bill’s intent but thought it unnecessary at this time.

Senate Bill 1565 — AI in the election process

SB 1565 would have precluded the use of artificial intelligence anywhere in the election process, including screening signatures on ballot envelopes to see if they match. Maricopa County had used AI-assisted scanners in 2020 to see if there were signatures on envelopes but then said all were still checked by humans. At this point, Hobbs wrote April 18, the legislation "attempts to solve challenges that do not currently face our state."

House Bill 2759 – Human trafficking crimes

HB 2759 would make a person who facilitates human trafficking, or knowlingly benefits from a trafficking operation, liable for damages to the person who was harmed. In vetoing the bill on April 28, Hobbs wrote that stakeholders agree the measure could do more harm than good by furthering victimizing trafficking victims.

Senate Bill 1255 – Legislative rulemaking oversight

SB 1255 would have given the GOP-controlled legislature oversight of certain rules in Arizona, if there was an estimated increase of $500,000 or more in regulatory burden caused by the rule. Hobbs vetoed the bill on May 9, writing that the Legislature can sponsor bills if they disagree with rulemaking by the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council.

Senate Bill 1252 – Maltreatment oversight

SB 1252 would have established a 14-member Independent Maltreatment Fatality and Near Fatality Review Committee, tasked with analyzing the state’s child safety system for abuse. Hobbs vetoed the bill on May 9, explaining that such oversight of the Department of Child Safety already exists.

House Bill 2444 – Natural resource conservation

HB2444 would have made various changes to state law governing natural resource conservation districts, as well as created a dedicated fund for those districts and a new commission tasked with overseeing the fund. Hobbs vetoed the bill on May 16 because no funding was provided to pay for the new commission.

House Bill 2312 – Gender discrimination

HB 2312 would have allowed domestic violence centers to ban biological males from working at those facilities. Hobbs wrote in a May 16 veto letter that the bill does nothing to help victims of domestic violence, but instead allows providers to discriminate on the basis of sex.

House Bill 2428 – Expanding the teachers academy

HB 2428 would have expanded the Teachers Academy program that provides scholarships to prospective public school teachers to students attending private and religious colleges. That program, created in 2017, provides one year of college tuition for students at public community colleges and universities in education programs in exchange for each year of teaching in an Arizona public school. Hobbs vetoed the bill on May 16 over financial concerns.

House Bill 2667 – Guns on college campuses

HB 2667 would have allowed those with concealed carry permits to bring guns onto college or university campuses. When vetoing the bill on May 16, Hobbs wrote that allowing guns to be carried or stored on campus “could lead to greater anxiety among students, staff and faculty.”

House Bill 2544 – Arizona-modified firearms

HB 2544 declared that firearms and ammunition “modified” in Arizona is not subject to federal law or regulation. Hobbs rejected the bill on May 16, warning of ambiguity in the enforcement of state and federal laws.

House Bill 2613 – U.S. manufactured voting equipment

HB 2613 stated that machines cannot be used to conduct elections unless 100% of the parts and components are produced in the United States and the machines themselves are manufactured and assembled in this country. The measure was opposed by many lawmakers who argued that there are currently no such devices on the market, a point Hobbs cited in her May 16 veto letter.

House Bill 2617 – Armed constables

HB 2617 would have allowed constables, already allowed to be armed while performing their duties, to be armed while off-duty as well. In her May 19 veto letter, Hobbs said she worried the measure would give constables the impression that they have a “duty to respond,” even while off-duty.

House Bill 2539 – School choice advertising

Among other things, HB 2539 would have required the Arizona Department of Transportation to notify new and existing motor vehicle registrants of the state’s school choice options. In her May 19 veto, Hobbs said the bill places an unfunded mandate on ADOT, and does nothing to improve outcomes at low-performing schools.

House Bill 2309 – Sovereign law enforcement

Hobbs vetoed HB 2309 on May 19, calling it “an unnecessary attempt to limit the federal government’s power.” The bill sought to compel the Arizona attorney general to issue opinions on the constitutionality of federal rules and regulations.

House Bill 2757 – Retention elections for more judges

HB 2757 would have made all Court of Appeals judges eligible for statewide retention elections. In her May 19 veto letter, Hobbs said she was opposed to the idea as long as the state retained division assignments for those judges, because a statewide vote would “dilute the votes of those Arizonans most directly impacted by each Division’s judges.”

House Bill 2502 – Retroactive child support

HB 2502 would have allowed courts to apply child support retroactively to the date of a confirmed pregnancy, rather than the date of birth. Hobbs blasted the sponsor, Republican Rep. Matt Gress, in a May 19 veto letter, accusing him of a backdoor attempt at establishing fetal personhood to strip Arizonans of their reproductive rights.

House Bill 2530 – Substance abuse services

In her May 19 veto letter, Hobbs applauded the bills’ intent of expanding access to voluntary substance abuse treatment services for pregnant people. But she rejected the bill, claiming it unnecessarily inserts the Department of Child Safety into medical decisions that should be handled between doctors and pregnant persons.

House Bill 2469 – Public health crisis

HB 2469 would have declared the trafficking of fentanyl across Arizona’s southern border was a public health crisis. Hobbs rejected the bill on May 19, writing that it does not address the chronic underfunding of the state’s health department and other government services.

House Bill 2545 – Limited public health emergencies

HB 2545 would have limited the governor’s authority to declare a public health emergency to those lasting only seven days. Emergencies would only have been allowed to extend past a week by a two-thirds majority vote of the state Legislature. In her May 19 veto letter, Hobbs wrote the bill “would severely limit the ability of the state to respond in times of crisis.”

House Bill 2416 – Cybersecurity risks

In vetoing HB 2416 on May 19, Hobbs called the measure “duplicative.” She said the concerns laid out in the bill were already being addressed through her own executive orders to protect Arizona’s cybersecurity interests.

House Bill 2094 – Mobile food vendors

HB 2094 would have allowed food trucks to operate on private properties in residential areas if they meet certain conditions, among other new rules. In her May 19 veto letter, Hobbs wrote that some provisions of the bill could potentially increase the risk of food-borne illness.

House Bill 2254 – New steps for rulemaking

HB 2254 was another attempt to give the Arizona Legislature some authority over a rulemaking process now overseen exclusively by a council of gubernatorial appointees. Hobbs defended the rulemaking process as “rigorous, transparent and effective” while vetoing HB 2254 on May 19.

House Bill 2305 – Ballot signature challenges

On May 19, Hobbs rejected HB 2305, which would have ensured that representatives of both political parties could challenge the decisions made by the election workers determining whether a signature on an early ballot was valid. That is significant because, while it would have affected only future elections, it parallels the bid being made by Kari Lake to overturn the results of the 2022 race. Lake claims that Maricopa County election workers were verifying invalid signatures.

House Bill 2308 – Secretary of state recusal

Hobbs vetoed HB 2308, a measure to force her successors as secretary of state to do something she refused to do voluntarily when she was running for governor last year: not perform any duties in a race in which that person's name also is on the ballot. That follows arguments by Republicans that the secretary of state, as the state's chief elections officer, has an inherent conflict of interest. In her May 19 veto message, the governor said that the position is elected and that the duties make the secretary of state Arizona's chief election officer.

House Bill 2377 – No lobbying for public officials

HB 2377 would have prohibited a public officer from “lobbying” unless it was when acting in their office’s official capacity. Hobbs vetoed the bill on May 19, saying it raised first amendment concerns.

House Bill 2560 – Cast vote images

HB 2560 would have required all county recorders to post a list of all registered voters, a list of all who voted in the election, and the unaltered images of ballots used to tabulate the results. Hobbs rejected the measure on May 22, and said while she understands it is designed to promote transparency, it threatens the anonymity and privacy of voters and "opens the door to the spread of additional election mis- and dis-information, which there is far too much of already.''

House Bill 2108 – New unemployment requirements

HB 2108 sought to create new requirements for unemployment eligibility and mandate actions the Department of Economic Security has to take before providing benefits. In her May 22 veto letter, Hobbs said too many Arizona workers have struggled to access benefits and "deserve a reliable, timely, and easy-to-navigate system.''

House Bill 2441 - Water for Rio Verde foothills

HB 2441 would have required the city of Scottsdale to resume water sales to Rio Verde Foothills. Hundreds of homes in the unincorporated community have been without a reliable water source since January, when Scottsdale cut their supply due to drought restrictions. In her May 22 veto letter, Hobbs said HB 2441 would not have provided an immediate solution for Rio Verde Foothills, since it passed without an emergency clause to put it into effect immediately.

Senate Bill 1001 – Biological pronouns only

Arizona won't bar teachers from referring to students by their preferred pronoun or name. In vetoing Senate Bill 1001 on May 22, Hobbs called it just another piece of "harmful legislation directed at transgender youth.'' And the governor said similar measures will meet the same fate.

Senate Bill 1011 – Partisan local elections

SB 1011 would have repealed the law that does not allow most cities and towns to have partisan elections for council members. "Arizona's communities are simply not asking for their local elections to be partisan affairs,'' Hobbs wrote in her May 22 veto letter.

Senate Bill 1025 – Political sign-free zones

SB 1025 would have made it more difficult for cities to create political sign-free zones. Hobbs vetoed the measure on May 22, saying she is not sure what problem the measure aims to solve. "Arizonans are not asking for more campaign signs in their communities,” the governor wrote in her veto letter.

Senate Bill 1048 - Lobbying reporting requirements

SB 1048 would have increased the threshold at which campaign contributions must be disclosed and itemized, from $100 to $200. It also requires any donations from lobbyists to be itemized. Hobbs praised the increased accountability for lobbyists, but vetoed the bill on May 22 because, “in the aggregate,” it would reduce transparency in campaign finance.

Senate Bill 1100 – All-terrain vehicles

SB 1100 would have increased the maximum weight of an all-terrain vehicle from 2,500 pounds to 3,500 pounds. Hobbs vetoed the bill on May 22, and suggested lawmakers work with various study committees and advisory groups to minimize the impact of such a weight increase.

Senate Bill 1066 – Non-government mailers

Under SB 1066, election-related mailers that aren’t from a government entity would have to include a disclaimer — the words “not from a government agency.” In her May 26 veto letter, Hobbs wrote that she was generally supportive of disclosure, but worried the bill – and its requirements around the size of text – created an unreasonable burden to those trying to improve voting access.

Senate Bill 1105 – Election day ballot counting

SB 1105 would have required – rather than allowed – county election officials to offer a place on Election Day for an in-person voter to have their ballot tabulated on site. Hobbs vetoed the bill on May 26, warning of logistical challenges for county officials to implement the measure.

Senate Bill 1135 – Remove Arizona from ERIC

SB 1135 would have removed Arizona from a program that helps perform voter registration checks across state lines. The Electronic Registration Information Center, also known as ERIC, matches voter registration data from motor vehicle departments from multiple states to identify duplicate registrations and voters who have moved or died. In her May 26 veto letter, Hobbs called it an essential election tool. ERIC has become caught up in conspiracy theories regarding the 2020 presidential election.

Senate Bill 1180 – Paying for voter registration

SB 1180 would have prohibited a person from paying or receiving money based on the number of voter registration forms they are able to collect. In her May 26 veto letter, Hobbs wrote that she does “not believe this bill is the right solution” to the challenges facing elections.

Senate Bill 1234 – Photo radar ban

Arizona motorists are going to have to keep an eye out for those photo radar cameras for at least the foreseeable future. Ditto red light cameras. Hobbs on May 26 quashed the latest attempt by state lawmakers to snuff out the technology that allows communities to use cameras to catch those who are ignoring posted speed limits or who proceed into intersections even after the light turns red. The governor said the evidence she has seen convinces her that the technology makes Arizona roads safer.

Senate Bill 1146 – No investments in abortion providers

SB 1146 would have prohibited the state treasurer from investing in companies that donate to Planned Parenthood or other organizations that promote, facilitate or advocate for abortions for minors. In her June 5 veto letter, Hobbs wrote that the bill “needlessly politicizes” decisions made by portfolio managers at the treasurer’s office.

Senate Bill 1201 – Limits on signature review

SB 1201 would have prevented voter signatures from polling places or voting center electronic poll books from being used for signature comparison when reviewing early ballot envelopes. Hobbs vetoed the bill on June 5, calling it “a solution in search of a problem.”

Senate Bill 1265 – Ban ranked choice voting

SB 1265 would have banned “ranked choice voting” or any form of balloting that has multiple stages of counting. In her June 5 veto letter, Hobbs noted it was the second such bill she’d rejected this legislative session — HB 2552 contained similar provisions.

Senate Bill 1268 – Changes to annexation votes

SB 1268 would have increased the number of people living in an area who would have to consent before the area could be annexed into an adjacent municipality to 60%. In her June 5 veto letter, Hobbs said the measures undermines the voices of property owners in the simple majority now required to approve of an annex motion.

Senate Bill 1277 – Unmanned aircraft rules

SB 1277 was designed to put some curbs on the use of aerial drones to photograph or observe people in a private place. In a June 5 veto letter, Hobbs questioned whether additional laws are needed and suggested the measure is overly broad. The governor said she is open to signing something worked out with all concerned.

Senate Bill 1413 – Dismantling homeless encampments

SB 1413 was designed to force communities to dismantle homeless encampments and, in some circumstances, arrest those who were staying there. Hobbs said the proposal fails to understand that there are multiple reasons that people become "unsheltered'' and remain that way. "This legislation addresses none of those root causes, offers no pathways to assistance, and effectively criminalizes experiencing homelessness,'' the governor wrote in her June 5 veto letter.

Senate Bill 1696 – Sex acts and books

The sponsor of SB 1696 said it was aimed at preventing the filming of sex acts on public property. But it also said no state or local agency is allowed to expose minors to sexually explicit materials. That drew concerns from Hobbs, who in her June 5 veto letter called it little more than "a thinly veiled effort to ban books.”

Senate Bill 1040 – Public school bathrooms

Arizona won't block transgender students from using restrooms and locker rooms that do not match their biological sex. In a short veto message June 8, Hobbs called SB 1040 "yet another discriminatory act against LGBTQ+ youth passed by the majority at the state Legislature.'' And the governor, who earlier had nixed legislation forbidding teachers from using a student's preferred pronoun, warned the Republicans who control both the House and Senate not to send her similar measures.

Senate Bill 1213 - Legislative audit committee; procedures manual 

Hobbs vetoed SB 1213 on June 8, which would have required approval of that manual from not just the Arizona governor and attorney general, but also the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Hobbs said the bill was an attempt by the Legislature to meddle with elections.

Senate Bill 1243 – Diverting income taxes for private schools

SB 1243 would have increased the amount of money individuals can divert from income taxes owed to the state to instead fund scholarships for students to attend private and parochial schools. In a June 8 veto letter, Hobbs said such credits reduced state income tax collections more than $271.8 million last year, a move that "diverts much needed funding from our public schools.''

Senate Bill 1264 - Political action committee prohibition 

Vetoed on June 8, SB 1264 would have barred election officials from being a member of a political action committee, outside of those for their own candidacy. 

Senate Bill 1597 - Early ballot on-site tabulation

SB 1597, vetoed on June 8, would have directed Maricopa and Pima counties to have on-site tabulation for early voters in at least one polling location per district. Hobbs said that on-site tabulation creates logistical and cost challenges that the bill did not resolve.

House Bill 2722 - Hand counting elections

Arizona counties won't get state approval to start counting ballots by hand. Hobbs on June 16 vetoed a proposal by Rep. Gail Griffin to allow whatever official who is in charge of elections to do a hand count rather than use automatic tabulating equipment. The governor said that was unacceptable. "Hand-counting ballots is unquestionably less accurate and more time consuming than machine tabulation,'' Hobbs wrote.

House Bill 2786 - Teacher training materials

HB 2786, sponsored by Rep. Justin Heap, R-Mesa, would have given parents access to all the materials that school districts used to train teachers. Heap showed colleagues what he said was a list of subjects in training sessions that teachers from the Mesa Unified School District were being required to attend. They included anti-racism, non-binary, unconscious biases, restorative justice and equity. All those, he said, are issues with which parents may disagree. In her veto letter, Hobbs said making these training materials available to the public would put schools at risk of violating copyright law.

Senate Bill 1026 - State monies; drag shows; minors

SB 1026, sponsored by Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, would have barred the use of public money or the use of state-funded institutions for a "drag show targeting minors.” It defined that as any adult performers dressing in clothing and makeup of the opposite sex to exaggerate "gender signifiers and roles'' and engage in singing, dancing or a monologue or skit to entertain a target audience under 18. It was one of four bills aimed at drag performances that Hobbs vetoed on June 16.

Senate Bill 1028 - Adult cabaret performances; prohibited locations

SB 1028 sought to bar "sexually explicit performances'' on public property or anywhere the person knows or has reason to know it could be viewed by a minor. It was one of four bills aimed at drag performances that Hobbs vetoed on June 16.

Senate Bill 1030 - Sexually explicit performances; regulation

SB 1030 would have required counties to adopt specific zoning ordinances for businesses that conduct "sexually explicit performances.'' The bill’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Anthony Kern, said his intent was to regulate sexually explicit drag shows. SB 1030 was one of four bills aimed at drag performances that Hobbs vetoed on June 16.

Senate Bill 1500 - Government investments; fiduciaries; pecuniary benefit

SB 1500 would have barred the state treasurer, whose investments include buying corporate stocks, from using the voting rights that come with those shares to support proposals that would advance social, environmental, political or other goals. Nor could the state in any way use its investment funds to boycott any company involved in fossil fuels or nuclear energy. "Politicizing decisions made by the state's investment professionals can harm our state's long-term fiscal health,'' Hobbs wrote in her June 16 veto letter.

Senate Bill 1611 - Public entities; contracts; prohibition

SB 1611 would have prohibited government agencies from refusing to contract with private firms unless they have or adopt environmental, social or governance standards policies. "I do not believe that tying the hands of the state's procurement and investment professionals is in the best interests of the people of Arizona,'' Hobbs wrote in her June 16 veto letter.

Senate Bill 1698 - Unlawful exposure; minors; sentencing; reporting

SB 1698 sought to create a new felony of "unlawful exposure to an adult oriented performance.'' As originally crafted, the measure specifically included drag shows. But the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Christine Wadsack, agreed to remove it, instead making it a crime to bring a child into an adult-oriented business. It was one of four bills aimed at drag performances that Hobbs vetoed on June 16.

House Bill 2210 - School board member; access

HB 2210 would have ensured that school board members have the same level of access to district offices as staff do during regular business hours. It also specified that school board members should have unfettered access, meaning they don’t need to be accompanied by a district employee. In her June 19 veto letter, Hobbs called the measure “an overcorrection for an issue that is occurring in a limited number of school boards across the state.”

House Bill 2252 - Motor vehicle manufacturers; TPT; exemption

Gov. Katie Hobbs rejected a proposal on June 19 that sought on behalf of Lucid Motors that would have allowed visitors to buy a car in the state and then drive it off without paying the taxes.

House Bill 2504 - STO scholarships; foster care students

HB 2504 would have expanded the list of students who are eligible for school tuition organization scholarships to include students placed in foster care. In her June 19 veto letter, Hobbs said the STO tax credits divert far too much money from the state’s general fund. 

House Bill 2618 - Decommissioning; solar and wind; standards

Hobbs vetoed a bill June 19 that would have imposed new requirements for solar and wind generating plants. Hobbs said the legislation would have been a potential barrier to renewable energy.

The bill contained a list of what cities, towns and counties could adopt in zoning standards and permitting requirements for such facilities. The measure also would have required owners to have a decommissioning plan in place, and to post a bond to cover the costs if the company went bankrupt.

House Bill 2623 - Unclaimed property

Hobbs vetoed HB 2623 on June 19, calling it an effort to direct the Arizona Department of Revenue to “provide sensitive information on taxpayers to third party entities.” Hobbs called the bill “an abuse and misuse of public records.”

Senate Bill 1391 - Department of Environmental Quality; counsel

SB 1391 would have authorized the Department of Environmental Quality from paying for outside legal counsel rather than rely on the Arizona attorney general. In her June 19 veto letter, Hobbs wrote that the attorney general provides quality legal counsel, and the “problem this bill seeks to address does not exist.”

House Bill 2802 – Fentanyl sales; manufacture; sentencing; testing

HB 2802 sought to impose a presumptive 10-year prison term for anyone who sells, attempts or intends to sell even a single pill that contains two or more milligrams of fentanyl. In her June 20 veto letter, Hobbs wrote the bill “will criminalize substance abuse disorder. Instead of locking people up who are suffering from the effects of the opioid epidemic, we must prioritize treatment and risk reduction.”

Senate Bill 1246 - Electronic certificates of title

SB 1246 was vetoed June 20.

Senate Bill 1095 - Early ballot envelope; notice

SB 1095 would have put a warning on early ballot envelopes that if people do not get them returned to county offices by the Friday before the election that it may delay results because of the time needed for the signature verification process. "I am concerned that this bill could have the effect of discouraging voter participation,'' the governor wrote in her June 20 veto letter.

Senate Bill 1106 - Social media platforms; standards; notification

SB 1106 was an attempt to regulate how national and international social media platforms operate in Arizona. Specifically, SB 1106 would have put into state law that once people become candidates for any public office, they could not have their posting rights taken away -- pretty much no matter what they say, truthful or otherwise. Hobbs said she found no merit in the measure. "This bill does not attempt to solve any of the real problems social media platforms create,'' the governor wrote on June 20.

Senate Bill 1151 - Community property; spousal maintenance; documentation

SB 1151 was vetoed on June 20.

Senate Bill 1175 - Registrations; observers; counting procedures; verification

SB 1175 makes a host of changes to Arizona election law, including establishing procedures for a hand count audit to occur in the event a political party fails to provide a sufficient number of board workers. In her June 20 veto letter, Hobbs wrote the bill creates an unfunded mandate for the state and county election officials.

Senate Bill 1246 - Electronic certificates of title

SB 1246 was vetoed June 20.

Senate Bill 1301 - Misconduct investigations; time limit; applicability

SB 1301 would have set a one-year time limit on investigations of law enforcement misconduct, at least for all allegations of misconduct received prior to September 24, 2022. In her June 20 veto letter, Hobbs said the bill would “unreasonably limit” the time needed to adequately complete misconduct investigations.

Senate Bill 1332 - Cast vote record; public records

SB 1332 would make the cast vote record – an electronic representation of how voters voted – a public record once the official canvass of an election is complete. Hobbs vetoed the bill on June 20, writing that any measure to release the cast vote record “must ensure that a voter’s privacy is protected.”

Senate Bill 1408 - Electronic applications; human smuggling

Hobbs vetoed legislation on June 20 she said could make criminals out of some who aid undocumented migrants. HB 1408 made it a Class 2 felony if a person using an electronic device was intending to conceal that person from a peace officer or assisting that person in fleeing. "This bill is yet another attempt by the majority to criminalize organizations and individuals who aim to support immigrants and refugees,'' Hobbs wrote in her veto message.

Senate Bill 1410 - School districts; parent complaints; reporting

SB 1410 set up new procedures for parents to file complaints if they believe schools are violating their parental rights and collecting it on a statewide level. In her June 20 veto letter, Hobbs called it "an unnecessary mandate on school districts.''

Senate Bill 1435 - Attorney licensing; Supreme Court

SB 1435 would have eliminated the requirement that attorneys be members of the State Bar of Arizona, which would have left all discipline solely to the Arizona Supreme Court. In her June 20 veto letter, the governor said the Bar is best equipped to do the job and noted that justices oppose the measure.

Senate Bill 471 - Ballot tabulation; hand count comparison

SB 1471 would have required a head-to-head test of hand counts versus machine counts of ballots, all in the wake of continued claims by failed candidates that machine counting is inherently suspect and susceptible to fraud and hacking. "The 2022 election is settled,'' Hobbs wrote in her June 20 veto letter, telling lawmakers it is "time to move on'' and start addressing real problems.

Senate Bill 1583 - Internet sex offender website; offenses

SB 1583 would have required that more people convicted of certain crimes be listed on a sex-offender website maintained by the Department of Public Safety. In her June 20 veto letter, the governor said existing law already requires posting of the names of "the most dangerous.''

Senate Bill 1588 - Criminal justice data collection; system

SB 1588 was vetoed on June 20.

Senate Bill 1595 - Early ballots; identification; tabulation

SB 1595 was vetoed on June 20.

Senate Bill 1596 - Polling places; office spaces; appropriation

SB 1596 was vetoed on June 20.

Senate Bill 1598 - Federal candidates; observers; elections

SB 1598 was vetoed on June 20.

Senate Bill 1658 - Critical infrastructure; prohibited agreements

SB 1658 would have barred any governmental entity or even private business from entering into any agreement for "critical infrastructure'' with a company owned by citizens of China, North Korea, Iran or Russia. These already are defined elsewhere in state law as any system or asset that is so vital to the state or the county that its incapacitation "would have a debilitating impact on security, economic security, public health or safety.'' In her June 20 veto letter, Hobbs objected to creating "a presumption that all citizens of certain countries are enemies of the state.'' And she said there are practical concerns, like disqualifying many Arizonans who may have dual citizenship.

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