Arizona Lawmakers Use 'Strike Everything' Tactic to Introduce New Bills

Controversial legislative maneuver allows for last-minute changes to proposed laws

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:20pm

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A cinematic painting of an empty state capitol hallway, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and casting deep shadows, conveying a sense of solitude and secrecy.The Arizona state capitol building stands as a silent witness to the controversial legislative maneuvers that often take place behind closed doors.Phoenix Today

Arizona lawmakers have been using a legislative tactic known as a 'strike everything' amendment to quickly introduce new bills at the last minute, sidestepping the normal legislative process. This controversial maneuver allows them to take an existing bill and replace its entire contents with completely new legislation, often on unrelated topics.

Why it matters

The 'strike everything' amendment has been criticized by good government advocates as an opaque and undemocratic way for lawmakers to push through new legislation without proper public scrutiny or debate. It raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the Arizona legislature.

The details

The 'strike everything' amendment works by taking an existing bill that has already passed through one chamber of the legislature, and then completely replacing its contents with new text. This allows lawmakers to introduce new legislation at the last minute, often just days before the legislative session ends. The original bill's title and number are kept, but the substance is entirely changed.

  • The Arizona legislature's current session is scheduled to end on April 30, 2026.

The players

Helen Rummel

A politics reporter for the Arizona news outlet azcentral.com who has been covering the use of 'strike everything' amendments in the state legislature.

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What they’re saying

“The 'strike everything' amendment is a way for lawmakers to sidestep the normal legislative process and ram through new bills without proper public input or debate.”

— Helen Rummel, Politics Reporter

What’s next

Advocacy groups are calling for reforms to limit the use of 'strike everything' amendments and increase transparency in the Arizona legislature. The next legislative session begins in January 2027.

The takeaway

The 'strike everything' tactic highlights the need for greater accountability and public participation in the Arizona legislative process. This controversial maneuver allows lawmakers to make last-minute changes to bills with minimal scrutiny, undermining democratic principles.