technical correction; obstructing governmental operations

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation includes claims that are broader than what is explicitly stated in the official summary and text of HB2276. The bill focuses on amending a specific section to clarify the use of violence against public servants but does not provide additional protections or new rules beyond this amendment.

Fixing Laws About Blocking Government Work

This bill amends Arizona's law to clarify that using or threatening violence against public servants obstructs their official duties and is a criminal offense.

What This Bill Does

• Amends section 13-2402 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, which deals with obstruction of governmental operations.

Who It Names or Affects

• Public servants who might face threats while performing their duties.
• Peace officers trying to enforce laws or maintain order.
• People who use violence or threaten it to stop government work.

Terms To Know

Obstructing governmental operations

Using or threatening violence to prevent public servants from doing their job.

Public servant

A person working for the government who is supposed to perform official duties.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill only amends a specific section of Arizona's criminal code and does not create new rules or punishments.
• It clarifies existing law but does not change how people are punished if they block an arrest.

Official Summary Text

HB2276 - technical correction; obstructing governmental operations

Current Bill Text

HB2276 - 572R - I Ver

REFERENCE TITLE:
technical correction; obstructing governmental operations

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HB 2276

Introduced by

Representative
Keshel

AN
ACT

amending section 13-2402, arizona revised
statutes; relating to obstruction of public administration.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 13-2402, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE
13-2402.

Obstructing governmental operations; classification

A. A person commits obstructing governmental
operations if, by using or threatening to use violence or physical force,
such

the
person knowingly obstructs,
impairs or hinders
either of the following
:

1. The performance of a governmental function by a
public servant acting under color of
his

the public servant's
official authority
.
; or

2. The enforcement of the penal law or the
preservation of the peace by a peace officer acting under color of
his

the peace officer's
official
authority.

B. This section does not apply to the obstruction,
impairment or
hinderance
hindrance

of the making of an arrest.

C. Obstructing governmental operations is a class 1
misdemeanor.
END_STATUTE