Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has broken her own veto record, rejecting 178 bills during the most recent legislative session—surpassing her 2023 record of 143. While Hobbs signed 264 bills into law, her repeated use of the veto pen has drawn scrutiny for blocking key Republican-led efforts on national security, election integrity, and education reform.
Among the few national security bills she signed was SB 1082, banning adversarial nations like China and Iran from owning land in Arizona. Yet, Hobbs vetoed multiple related measures, including SB 1109 and SB 1164, which aimed to strengthen Arizona’s immigration enforcement and coordination with federal agencies. In vetoing the Arizona ICE Act, she claimed state-level immigration cooperation should be decided by Arizonans—not Washington, D.C.
On election integrity, Hobbs rejected HB 2017, HB 2046, and HB 2050, all designed to increase transparency, secure ballot processes, and limit election-day drop-offs. Hobbs argued these measures would “disenfranchise voters” and burden election officials. She also vetoed HB 2703, which sought to expedite vote counting—despite Arizona’s reputation for delayed results. However, she did sign HB 2129, increasing audit coverage across more races.
In education, Hobbs blocked SB 1694, which would have defunded DEI programs in public universities. She also vetoed HB 2610, which proposed accountability for school boards mismanaging finances. Still, she signed HB 2880, banning unauthorized encampments on college campuses, and HB 2164, restricting ultra-processed foods in public schools.
On the economic front, Hobbs signed HB 2704 to renovate Chase Field without raising taxes, and SB 1069, raising the small business tax exemption. SB 1182, another signed bill, prevents noise ordinances from halting early morning summer construction.
In terms of online safety, HB 2112 now requires age verification for adult websites to block minors, with strict penalties for noncompliance. Hobbs also approved SB 1611, allowing high-water-use farmland to convert to low-water-use developments, conserving millions of acre-feet of water.
However, Hobbs vetoed SB 1586, a bill allowing those harmed by gender transition procedures as minors to sue healthcare providers. She cited existing malpractice laws as sufficient.
