Technology

SB 1160 prohibits operating civil drones within 400 feet above or below ticketed entertainment events (like concerts or sports venues) without specific authorization. It directly affects drone operators, event venues, and media companies that might use drones near such events. The bill allows exceptions for venue employees, utility workers conducting official business, and personal drone use on private property under federal rules. Local governments cannot create their own drone regulations for these events, preempting city or county ordinances on drone operations near entertainment venues. Violations of the entertainment event restriction are classified as class 1 misdemeanors.

HB 2700 establishes Arizona's "Technology First Study Committee" to examine assistive technology access for individuals with developmental disabilities. The committee, composed of 12 members from disability advocacy groups, state agencies, universities, and technology programs, will study emerging assistive technologies, analyze current service gaps, and identify improvements to better serve this population. It must submit a final report to state leaders by October 1, 2027, detailing findings and recommendations. The committee is scheduled to cease operations after this report deadline. This bill directly affects Arizonans with developmental disabilities by aiming to improve their access to technology-based support services.

SB 1038 requires Arizona county recorders to publish, within one hour after polls close, a public record containing every voter's name, voter ID number, political party registration (if listed), and their specific vote choice in an organizable format. This law directly affects voters by making their individual voting choices publicly accessible and county election officials by mandating this immediate disclosure. The bill prohibits altering or randomizing the original voting records, ensuring the published data matches the election results exactly. It overrides existing privacy protections to make detailed voting data a permanent public record.

SCR 1004 is a resolution that, if approved by Arizona voters, would prohibit the use of photo enforcement systems for traffic law enforcement. The bill defines "photo enforcement system" as a device using radar or sensors linked to a camera to capture license plate images for identifying traffic violations. It amends Arizona Revised Statutes to repeal existing provisions permitting such systems and adds a new prohibition. This measure would directly affect law enforcement agencies and drivers by banning automated traffic ticketing without an officer present.

Arizona's SB 1432 prohibits the use of federally issued central bank digital currency (CBDC) as legal tender within the state. It bans CBDC for all contracts, payments, and transactions, including escrow disbursements and distributed ledger technology transfers. The bill amends definitions to explicitly exclude federal digital currency from "legal tender" and requires all transactions to use traditional money or dollar-backed digital assets. This applies to all businesses, individuals, and contracts conducted within Arizona.

SB 1278 prohibits anyone in Arizona from intentionally injecting, releasing, or dispensing materials for solar radiation management (technologies that reflect sunlight to cool the planet) within state borders. It also bans public funding - such as grants from cities, universities, or other entities receiving public money - for developing these technologies. The law allows Arizona residents to file complaints with the Attorney General about violations, who must investigate and can sue violators in court for injunctive relief and fees. This bill directly affects individuals, companies, and public institutions conducting or funding solar radiation management activities in Arizona.