aggravated assault; utility workers
SB 1448 amends Arizona's aggravated assault statute to specifically include utility workers as protected individuals. The bill makes it a more serious offense to assault an employee of a public utility (like electric, gas, or water providers) while they are performing job duties. This change elevates such assaults to aggravated assault status, meaning they would face harsher penalties under existing law. The bill directly affects utility workers who are on the job, ensuring assaults against them are treated as aggravated crimes. It does not create new penalties but expands the definition of aggravated assault to cover these workers.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Jan 27, 2026
Signed Jun 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
Senate Engrossed Version (02/26/2026)
→
Chaptered Version
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates Arizona's aggravated assault laws to explicitly include utility workers (electric, gas, water) and telecommunications providers as protected victims, alongside existing categories like first responders and healthcare workers. The changes also clarify the definition of 'first responder' to include tribal police officers and adjust felony sentencing classifications for assaults against prosecutors and utility workers to ensure consistent penalties.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of protected individuals to include utility and telecommunications employees, broadening the circumstances under which an assault is automatically classified as aggravated.
SCOPE
Added 'utility workers' and 'licensed telecommunications providers' to the list of protected victims for aggravated assault charges.
DEFINITION
Updated the definition of 'first responder' to explicitly include tribal police officers.
ENFORCEMENT
Adjusted felony sentencing classifications for assaults against prosecutors and utility workers to reflect their specific roles and risks.
TIMELINE
Clarified the transition date of December 31, 2032, when the new expanded list of protected victims will fully apply to future cases.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 26, 2026 · House Apr 13, 2026
How they voted
23–4
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 30
Feb 26, 2026
D
Democratic13
76% Yea
R
Republican17
76% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
14
Key actions
7
Committee
1
Amendments
2
Jun 19, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor
executive
Jun 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
DPA
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
DPA
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
DP
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
T.J. Shope
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 1448
Scope: AZ
Hi! I can help you understand SB 1448. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline