Criminal Justice

passed · Arizona · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2136: civil terrorism; disorderly conduct; subversion

HB 2136 is a definitional bill that amends Arizona law to clarify terms related to terrorism, extortion, and animal-related offenses. It explicitly defines "civil terrorism" as non-violent civil disobedience (e.g., protests) and excludes it from the legal definition of "terrorism," ensuring peaceful activities aren’t criminalized. Key provisions define "animal or ecological terrorism" as felony acts targeting animal facilities (like farms or research labs) involving property damage over $10,000, violence, or serious injury, and clarify terms like "extortionate credit" (threats of violence to collect debts). This bill directly affects operators of animal facilities, law enforcement, and legal proceedings involving these defined offenses, but does not create new crimes - only refines existing statutory language.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExcludes non-violent protests from 'terrorism' definition, protecting civil rights and preventing overcriminalization of peaceful activities per bill's core provision.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Arizona · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2825: fines; fees; assessments; restitution; nonpayment

HB 2825 amends Arizona law to change how courts handle cases where defendants fail to pay court-ordered fines, fees, restitution, or incarceration costs. It requires courts to hold hearings to determine if nonpayment is willful (intentional refusal to pay) before imposing penalties like jail time, explicitly prohibiting incarceration solely due to inability to pay. The bill mandates clear written notices in plain language for defendants about their hearing rights and financial hardship evidence, and allows courts to enter a civil default judgment if defendants skip hearings without valid reason. This directly affects individuals owing court-ordered payments, prosecutors, victims seeking restitution, and courts managing these cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents jail time for inability to pay fines/fees, protecting defendants from poverty-based incarceration - a core criminal justice reform.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Arizona · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2976: justice courts; administration; due process

HB 2976 strengthens due process protections for Arizona justices of the peace when state or county entities take administrative actions that affect their statutory duties, such as changing authority or imposing new operational costs. The bill requires these entities to provide written notice, a hearing before an independent officer, clear evidence, and the right to counsel before making such decisions. It also mandates that administrative orders affecting justice courts be reported to the legislature within 10 days with fiscal impact statements, and prevents counties from implementing new requirements without state funding. This directly impacts elected justices of the peace, county governments, and state/county administrative bodies overseeing justice courts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens due process protections for justice courts, enhancing procedural fairness and rights in court administration, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Arizona · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 4136: unlawful entry; vulnerable adults; vagrants

HB 4136 creates two new felony offenses for entering a residential structure where a vulnerable adult lives without permission. A general unlawful entry (Class 4 felony) requires the owner/caregiver to report the incident, while a sexual offense version (Class 3 felony) applies if the entry involves specific sexual crimes. The bill mandates immediate arrest by law enforcement and adds this violation to Arizona’s sex offender registration requirements under Section 13-3821. It directly affects individuals entering vulnerable adults’ homes without consent, with the owner/caregiver’s report triggering criminal penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felonies and mandatory sex offender registration, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties under criminal justice system90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Arizona · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2063: appropriation; independent correctional oversight office.

HB 2063 allocates $1.5 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Corrections Oversight Fund, which supports the Independent Correctional Oversight Office. This funding is specifically designated for the office's operations under existing law (Title 41, Chapter 59 of Arizona Revised Statutes), enabling it to conduct oversight activities within the state prison system. The bill does not create new policies or change existing laws - it solely provides financial resources for an already established oversight body. The office, which monitors correctional facilities and conditions, will use these funds for its mandated oversight functions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.5M from state general fund for Corrections Oversight Office operations, funding essential oversight program under existing law.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds Independent Correctional Oversight Office to strengthen prison system accountability, aligning with reform goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Arizona · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 2495: sentencing enhancements; vulnerable adults

HB 2495 increases sentencing for felony convictions against vulnerable adults in Arizona. It directly affects individuals convicted of specific felonies (under Chapters 11-19, 21, 23 of Arizona law) who knew or should have known the victim was a vulnerable adult. Key provisions prohibit suspension of sentence, probation, or early release (except as specified), and add 3 years to class 4-6 felonies or 5 years to class 2-3 felonies. The bill mandates these sentence increases in addition to any existing enhancements. This changes sentencing outcomes for offenders convicted of such crimes, without altering the underlying offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases mandatory sentences (adds 3-5 years) and prohibits probation/early release for crimes against vulnerable adults, directly aligning with 'oppose' indicators of increasing sentences and reducing defendant rights.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Arizona · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2175: crimes; hostility towards victims; sentencing

Arizona's HB 2175 increases prison sentences for certain crimes committed "out of hostility toward a victim because of the victim's identity in a protected group" (as defined in state law). It applies to offenses like assault (Section 13-1203), criminal damage (Section 13-1602), and other felonies listed in the bill. If convicted under these circumstances, defendants face a 3- to 5-year sentence increase (depending on felony class) and cannot receive probation, suspended sentences, or early release until the full term is served. The law explicitly states it does not restrict constitutional free speech rights.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory prison sentences for hate crimes, removes probation/early release options, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher penalties and reduced defendant rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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