Arizona Catholic Conference 2025 Legislative Wrap-Up

ARIZONA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

 2025 LEGISLATIVE WRAP-UP

Session Overview

The Arizona Legislature adjourned sine die on June 27th, at 1:20 p.m.  In total, over 1,800 pieces of legislation were introduced with 265 bills signed into law and 174 of them vetoed, which is a new state record for vetoes in a single session.

The political situation at the Capitol remains very much divided, but the Arizona Catholic Conference (ACC) was thankful that all of the most problematic bills again failed to pass, while several positive measures were approved into law.

Seal of Confession Preserved

Like several other states, an effort was made to force priests to violate the Seal of Confession in certain circumstances (HB 2070).  Priests cannot break the Seal of Confession under any circumstances and proposals to do so demonstrate a continued and troubling threat to our important religious freedoms.  Arizona is fortunate that its legislative leaders value this basic freedom and did not allow this measure to move.

Immigration Bills Vetoed

Several efforts were made to compel state and local police in the enforcement of federal immigration laws but were thankfully vetoed by the Governor (HB 1088, HB 2099, and SB 1164). The problems at the border are well documented, but when state and local police get involved with the federal enforcement of these laws, crime victims and witnesses are afraid to come forward and public safety is threatened.

Another problematic bill that was vetoed (SB 1268) would have required hospitals to ask patients about their immigration status.  Such legislation had the potential to intimidate families and children from seeking lifesaving care at hospitals and could have threatened the public at large if contagious diseases were not treated.

Finally, unsuccessful attempts were made to amend the budget (SB 1742) to repeal provisions of current state law that voters approved in 2022 allowing in-state college tuition for undocumented immigrants who graduated from Arizona high schools.

Human Life and Religious Freedom Supported

Following the passage of Proposition 139, Arizona can no longer be called one of the top pro-life states in the country.  Nonetheless, numerous efforts continue to be made that would seriously undermine the dignity of human life at all stages.

Many pieces of legislation were introduced to repeal or undermine the pro-life laws that remain on the books for now.  Included in these bills were efforts to remove informed consent before abortions, allow non-physicians to perform abortions, and repeal conscience protections for healthcare providers that object to participating in the taking of innocent human life (SB 1553), amongst many others.

Similarly, other efforts were made to legalize physician-assisted suicide (SB 1404 and SB 2243), but they thankfully did not advance with the help of legislative leadership. Additionally, a ballot measure was introduced (HCR 2024) to allow executions by firing squad, but it failed when it did not receive a floor vote.

School Choice Leader

Arizona remains the leading state in the country in terms of providing parents with the best opportunities to educate their children.  Through our tuition tax credits and Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) programs, many children are able to attend the schools that best fit their needs. Accordingly, the ACC is grateful that the tuition tax credit programs remain entirely intact and that efforts to eliminate the ESA program (SB 1137) were defeated.

Vulnerable Populations

It is worth noting that the foster care and charitable organization tax credits which tremendously help Catholic Charities and other worthy organizations provide vital services to the needy were thankfully preserved.

The ACC is also glad that the state budget was able to prioritize funds for efforts to prevent evictions, help the homeless, and to provide civil legal aid (SB 1735).  Importantly, the ACC was able to include language in the budget that focuses this legal aid for worthwhile purposes of helping the poor while prohibiting its use for abortions or other problematic purposes.

Finally, legislation to codify an innovative program offering comprehensive services for those in extended foster care (SB 1743); provide mental health services for veterans (SB 1735); and extend a program that helps the mentally ill transition into society after release from prison (SB 1405) were also thankfully signed into law this session.

Conclusion

The Arizona Catholic Conference is grateful to all the elected officials and groups we worked with this past session.  We are also appreciative of your support, and especially your prayers.