Arizona Governor vetoes bills affecting DEI, elections

PHOENIX — Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed over a dozen bills Tuesday. The Governor vetoed 36 bills on Monday, according to her office. 

Here’s a list of the latest bills that didn’t make the cut. 

SB1036, public resources; influencing elections; penalties

This bill would have allowed residents to sue the city, town, county or school district for use of public resources to influence an election and require the collection of civil penalties to be paid to the resident.

SB1097, elections; voting centers; polling places

This bill would have required public offices, including public schools, to serve as polling locations. 

SB1600, patient rights; health care services

This bill would have granted patients specified rights to receive healthcare services through informed consent, except in an emergency.

SB1649, legislative appointments; qualifications

The bill would have removed membership requirements for members of public offices who were appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate. 

HB2206, multistate voter registration system; prohibition

The bill would have restricted Arizona from being a member of a multi-state voter registration or voter registration list. It would have also made restrictions on the type of voter registration and voter registrations lists maintenance organizations the state could join. The bill would have instructed the County Recorder or Secretary of State to notify a registered voter found to be ineligible and allow them the chance to revise, clarify or cancel their registration.

HB2437, drug-free homeless zones

This bill would have established drug-free homeless service zones and implemented fines and penalties for violators.

HB2700, academic standards; social studies; geography

This bill would have required the State Board of Education to include geography in high school social studies academic standards. The bill would have also required the Gulf of America be included in geography studies.

HB2767, voter registrations; transportation department; recorders

The bill would require the Arizona Department of Transportation to share voter registration information with the Secretary of State and the appropriate county recorder within five business days.

HB2798, narcotic injection sites; zoning; prohibition

The bill would have banned any city or county from adopting an ordinance or regulation allowing for the development of a narcotics injection site.

HB2803, mixed hoteling; signage; requirements

This bill would have required hotels and homeless service providers to prominently post an informed statement for patrons if the business is being used for mixed hoteling.  The bill would have allowed a full refund to customers not willing to stay at a hotel that houses homeless individuals and the general public.

HB2868, discrimination; policies; preferential treatment

The bill would have prohibited diversity, equity, and inclusion activities and offices in Arizona.

HB2895, task order contracts; website; posting

The bill would have required a city, county, school district and state government to post task order contracts. The dollar amount of the contract, description of services, length of contract and identity of contractor would not be redactable.

HB2927, public meetings; records; requirements; penalties

The bill would have changed public meeting laws on access, complaints and notifications.