Carbone's Small Modular Reactor Bill Passes Committee
STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – The Arizona House Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, and Water has passed House Majority Leader Michael Carbone’s legislation to accelerate the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) that are co-located with large industrial energy users like data centers or uses to replace or expand generation at existing baseload powerplants. Offered as a strike-everything amendment to HB2774, the bill removes bureaucratic hurdles standing in the way of SMR deployment to meet growing energy needs, streamlining the permitting process for utilities and large technology companies with clean, reliable energy.
“This bill is a win-win for Arizona’s energy future and rural communities,” said Majority Leader Carbone. “We need a bold approach to ensure energy production keeps pace with demand, maintains grid reliability, and supports job growth—especially in rural areas. Small modular reactors are a game-changer. They offer the ability to repurpose existing facilities, attract new industry, and provide clean, reliable, and affordable power to rapidly-expanding industries that are critical to national defense, like data centers.”
“With rising energy demand and national security concerns, we cannot afford to sit back and wait. This bill puts Arizona in the driver’s seat of the next great era of American energy innovation,” Majority Leader Carbone added. “Rural Arizona will benefit from high-paying jobs, increased capital investment, and a more stable tax base—all while keeping our energy supply reliable and affordable.”
Hoffman's Rewards for Illegals
State Senator Jake Hoffman (R-15) has introduced legislation to authorize monetary rewards to law enforcement detaining illegal aliens who get deported.
Up to $2500 would be rewarded to law enforcement agencies for every illegal alien they detain that is deported by the federal government under President Donald Trump, only after the deportation is confirmed.
Sen. Hoffman's bill creates a tax on wire transfers to foreign countries to fund such an endeavor. Specifically, a $25 fee will be charged for every transfer less than $500, while transfers over $500 will have the $25 plus 5% of the amount being transferred.
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Senator Ruben Gallego: Tonight I’m introducing 10 amendments to the Republican budget resolution. I’m pushing to put senators on the record when it comes to lowering costs, securing the border, safeguarding national security, and protecting our natural resources. Let’s see if they'll get a vote and who will stand up for the American people.
Representative Andy Biggs: President Trump has accomplished far more in his first month in office than Joe Biden did in four years. Securing our border, protecting women's sports, and righting our fiscal ship are just a few of his accomplishments so far. America's Golden Age is just beginning.
Representative Eli Crane: The American people have a right to know how THEIR money is being spent. Swampy politicians have hid their efforts for too long. A $36 trillion dollar debt wasn’t an accident. Thankfully, we live in a new era of transparency.
Representative Abe Hamadeh: We congratulate FBI Director @Kash_Patel on his confirmation. There is no one better to reform that Agency, protect the American people, and uphold the Constitution of the United States.
Attorney General Kris Mayes: Proud to stand with our law enforcement partners to protect Arizonans from the fentanyl crisis.
State Senator Anthony Kern: Congrats to the new @FBI Director @Kash_Patel!! America is back!!
Arizona Speaker of the House Steve Montenegro: Gov. Hobbs and Democrat legislators continue to block reforms on election transparency. If they won't act, we will—letting Arizona voters have the final say.
State Representative Michael Way: My bill axing DEI in Arizona has passed committee. This is step one in safeguarding our state from radical wokism just as POTUS has done in Washington.
State Representative Leo Biasiucci: Today, Arizona voted 59-0 to pass my bill to make the penalty of crack possession equal to the penalty of cocaine. @realDonaldTrump and Congress started the reform in 2018 with the First Step Act, and today we finished the job in Arizona!
State Representative Quang Nguyen: I wasn’t able to attend the Annual Arizona Cattle Growers dinner on Wednesday evening because of committee hearings, but a friend accepted an award for me. You don’t go to the legislature to win awards, but it’s nice to be recognized. Besides, I love a rare steak Thank you for the recognition, Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association.
State Representative Stacey Travers: HB2842 still allows free market to prevail, but we need to stop these predatory practices from preying on service member! We will not let out-of-state special interests defraud veteran’s of the right they’ve earned through their service to our country.
State Representative Julie Willoughby: Thank you to members of MWEG who met with me to discuss my legislation and how to be strong advocates in our communities supporting families and children.
Hoffman Introduces Bill Rewarding Law Enforcement for Detaining Migrants that Get Deported— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich
Biggs Urges Trump to Rescind Biden-Harris Maricopa County Air Pollution Policies— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) spearheaded a recent letter to President Donald Trump and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin urging the rescindment of Biden-Harris air pollution policies in Maricopa County.
Montenegro Introduces Bills to Designate Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich—Arizona Speaker of the House Steve Montenegro (R-29) is introducing legislation to designate the Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) under Arizona law.
Trump Calls Zelenskyy a 'Dictator' Amidst War Negotiations— By Cactus Politics' Jackson Bakich— President Donald Trump (R) released a message on his social media app, Truth Social, regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the negotiations between the United States and Russia regarding the Ukrainian-Russian War.
Way's Antisemitism in Education Bill Passes Committee— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— State Representative Michael Way's (R-15) "Antisemitism in Education" bill has passed the Arizona House Education Committee. It prohibits schools and other state agencies from promoting antisemitism.
Biggs Introduces Bill to Stop New Penny Production— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) has introduced legislation to pause the minting of new pennies for ten years.
Rubio, Waltz, and Witkoff Meet Top Russian Officials in First US-Russia Summit Since Ukraine Invasion— By Cactus Politics' Mateo Guillamont— Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy Ambassador Steve Witkoff have met Russian officials at the first US-Russia encounter since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
US Military Rescues Iranian Sailors as US-Iran Tensions Flare— By Cactus Politics' Mateo Guillamont— The US military has reportedly rescued mariners from Iran who emitted a distress call after their ship began to sink in the Arabian gulf.
US Military Kills Top Al Qaeda Commander— By Cactus Politics' Mateo Guillamont— The US military has announced the death of a senior operative of Al-Qaeda affiliate Hurras al-Din (HaD) after US Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted air strikes against a HaD stronghold.
Rubio's Visit to Israel Signals Radical Shift in US Middle East Policy— By Cactus Politics' Mateo Guillamont— US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Israel has underscored a shift in the US foreign policy priorities for the Middle East.
