Representative Gail Griffin, Representative Lupe Diaz, Senator David Gowan
Column By Rep. Gail Griffin (R-LD19)
September 12 is the official date when many of the laws passed this year will take effect, putting months of work at the Capitol into practice across Arizona.
This year, over 2,000 bills were introduced, with 415 reaching the Governor’s desk. Of those, 264 were signed into law, many of which improve the safety of our families, reduce the cost of living, protect private property rights, and improve the fairness of our tax and utility rates.
Here is a summary of some of the key accomplishments we achieved this year, which will be taking effect on September 12 (or are already in effect) and that address concerns that we regularly hear from people across our district.
Budget Wins – In the budget, we delivered nearly $1.43 billion in tax relief to Arizonans through full conformity with the federal One Big Beautiful Bill, including a 25 percent increase in the Child Tax Credit and a new dependent care deduction. These changes are effective for next tax season.
We also expanded and made permanent one of the most generous disabled veterans’ property tax relief programs in the nation, providing a property tax exemption without income limits and extending it fully to surviving spouses.
We also provided funding to establish a Child Sexual Abuse and Assault Awareness and Prevention Pilot Program in Arizona schools.
Consumer Protection – We passed reporting requirements for regulated electric utilities and directed the Arizona Corporation Commission to adopt ratepayer protections that ensure data centers pay the cost for new grid upgrades and power plants, not shift those costs to existing customers.
Effective Sept. 12, insurance adjusters and contractors will be banned from soliciting storm-damaged homeowners while an emergency is still active, protecting property owners from being taken advantage of during times of stress.
Additionally, to prevent deed fraud against vulnerable property owners, individuals will be required to present valid photo ID when recording documents in person at the county recorder’s office, as well as provide a fingerprint when recording documents with a notary.
Additionally, all food products made with lab-grown meat must be clearly labeled as “lab-grown” or “cell cultivated,” letting customers know exactly what they are buying.
Public Safety – Effective Sept. 12, the threshold for enhanced sentencing for fentanyl trafficking will be reduced from 200 grams to 100 grams, or approximately 1,000 pills, making enhanced sentencing easier. The bill also increases the penalties for sexual extortion of children.
We also passed the “Alec and Lydia Act” to prioritize the safety of domestic violence victims and children in family court.
Protecting Children – Effective September 12, schools will be allowed to upgrade and enhance their weapons detection systems without having to wait for prior governing board approval. In addition, companies that advertise or sell smokeless tobacco and alternative nicotine products will face stricter guidelines and penalties for advertisements to minors.
Election Integrity – This year, we modernized Arizona’s primary election calendar, strengthened mail-in ballot curing, and improved observer access. This act was an emergency measure and is in effect now.
Many Others – These are just a few of the achievements we were able to accomplish this year. Many other bills passed this session that benefit our district.
Vetoes – Since taking office in 2023, Governor Hobbs has compiled the most extensive veto record in Arizona history, totaling 541 bills over four years. 143 in her first year, 73 in 2024, 174 in 2025, and 151 this year.
Those vetoes systematically targeted legislation on election integrity, ballot security, school safety, education standards, parental rights, biological gender, border security, immigration enforcement, public safety, water security, housing affordability, government transparency, and waste, fraud, and abuse. Many of them would have benefited rural Arizona.
She vetoed the $1.43 billion Trump tax cuts twice before finally signing them this year.
One would expect some vetoes amid divided government, but her pattern reflects a deliberate philosophy to replace the will of the people with her own.
We are disappointed with the Governor’s vetoes, but we are proud of the progress we made this session and grateful for the opportunity to represent the people of our district.
Many of the measures above will never dominate the news, but they matter in people’s daily lives. They are the kinds of issues we hear about throughout Legislative District 19, and they are the kinds of issues we will continue working on at the Legislature.
There is more work ahead, and we will keep working to protect our communities, our taxpayers, and the way of life we value here in southeastern Arizona.
The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author.
