House budget provision seeks to curb power of attorney general in election lawsuits
A last-minute provision inserted into the House version of the state budget aims to limit the ability of Attorney General Kris Mayes to bring legal charges against anyone related to election issues.
The language crafted by Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Scottsdale, would require prosecutors to get permission from both the House and Senate judiciary committees before filing any election-related lawsuit if a judge in any other case had said there was at least “prima facie” evidence they had violated the state’s anti-SLAPP law, short for Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation statutes. This law is designed to prevent public officials from using the courts to punish and prevent speech on political issues.
What Kolodin is proposing is not occurring in a vacuum.
In February, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sam Myers ruled that the remaining 16 defendants in the “fake electors” case being prosecuted by Mayes, a Democrat, have provided that prima facie evidence, demonstrating to him that the indictments against them appear to attack what is “at least in part some arguably lawful speech.” Mayes, rather than proceeding with the case, has instead appealed Myers’ ruling.
https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2025/06/16/house-budget-provision-seeks-to-curb-power-of-attorney-general-in-election-lawsuits/