Criminal Justice

signed · Arizona · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 2223: name change petition; sex offenders

HB 2223 modifies Arizona's name change law to specifically address individuals required to register as sex offenders. The bill requires applicants to disclose their sex offender registration status and mandates that if approved, they must register under their new name while using their old name as an alias. Applicants must also serve the prosecuting agency with their application, and victims or prosecutors can contest the change for up to one year after court approval. This directly affects sex offenders seeking name changes, ensuring their registration obligations remain active without interruption.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStrengthens sex offender registration oversight by requiring disclosure, new-name registration, and contest period, enhancing public safety in criminal justice90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed · Arizona · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 2862: unlawful masking; violation

HB 2862 makes it a misdemeanor to wear a mask to conceal one's identity at public assemblies (gatherings of 10+ people in public or permitted spaces). It specifically prohibits this behavior, with exceptions for holiday costumes, religious attire, medical devices, occupational safety gear, athletic equipment, and law enforcement use. The law classifies a first offense as a class 3 misdemeanor and repeat violations as a class 1 misdemeanor. It directly affects individuals attending public gatherings who wear face-covering masks without qualifying for an exemption.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating new misdemeanor offense for mask-wearing at public assemblies, contradicting reform goals of reducing unnecessary criminalization.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ 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 18, 2026

HB 2966: dangerous crimes against children; probation.

HB 2966 amends Arizona's probation statute to require a minimum $65 monthly fee for most probationers, with exceptions for those unable to pay. The fee funds adult probation services, collected by courts and deposited into a county probation fund. Crucially, the bill prohibits courts from ending probation early for individuals convicted of "dangerous crimes against children" (as defined in AZ Rev. Stat. § 13-705). It applies broadly to all probationers but includes a specific restriction for those convicted of severe child-related offenses. The changes clarify fee collection procedures and reinforce that early probation termination is not permitted for these cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits early probation termination for 'dangerous crimes against children,' restricting defendant rights and increasing sentence duration per AZ Rev. Stat. §13-705.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · Arizona · House Mar 16, 2026

HB 2205: criminal damage; trespassing; critical facilities

HB 2205 amends Arizona law to increase penalties for damaging specific protected locations, directly affecting property owners and individuals who damage these sites. It classifies aggravated criminal damage when property is defaced, damaged, or tampered with at places of worship, schools, cemeteries, or utility/infrastructure sites (e.g., for metal theft), with penalties escalating based on damage amount ($1,500-$10,000+) and location type. For instance, damaging a school with $10,000+ in damage becomes a class 4 felony, while similar damage to utility infrastructure is a class 3 felony. The bill defines "damage" to include repair costs, lost services, and abatement expenses, making it a criminal offense with felony classifications.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for damaging protected locations, expanding criminalization of property damage offenses without reform elements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ 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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failed · Arizona · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 2413: sex offenders; electronic monitoring

HB 2413 amends Arizona's sex offender registration law (ARS § 13-3821) to expand registration requirements for individuals convicted of specific sex offenses against minors. It directly affects people convicted of 22 listed offenses - including child sexual abuse, trafficking, and certain repeated indecency violations - who must register with local sheriffs within 10 days of conviction or 72 hours after entering Arizona. Key provisions require registrants to provide detailed personal information (including online identifiers, vehicle details, and child custody status), and extend registration obligations to those employed or enrolled in school in Arizona for more than 14 consecutive days. The bill does not address electronic monitoring; its focus is solely on broadening registration rules and data collection for sex offenders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands sex offender registration requirements, increasing monitoring and restricting registrant rights through mandatory detailed reporting within 72 hours.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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failed · Arizona · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 2045: drive by shooting; immediate area

HB 2045 amends Arizona law to define "drive by shooting" as intentionally discharging a weapon from a motor vehicle (or the immediate area used to transport the shooter) at a person, occupied vehicle, or structure. It classifies this offense as a class 2 felony and requires judges to revoke the convicted person’s driver’s license for one to five years upon conviction, forwarding the order to the Department of Transportation. The bill also mandates forfeiture of vehicles used in the offense under existing chapter 39 procedures. These provisions directly affect individuals convicted of drive-by shootings, increasing penalties through license suspension and vehicle seizure.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies drive-by shootings as class 2 felony with license revocation and vehicle forfeiture, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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