obstructing governmental operations; lawful arrest

Plain English Breakdown

The bill was vetoed and has no effective date; its legal status depends on a potential legislative override which is unknown from the provided source.

HB2811: Changes to Obstruction of Governmental Operations

This bill proposes changing the law so that blocking a lawful arrest with force or threats becomes a class 5 felony, while other obstruction acts remain misdemeanors.

What This Bill Does

• Amends Arizona Revised Statutes section 13-2402 regarding obstructing governmental operations.
• Defines obstructing governmental operations as knowingly using or threatening violence to stop public servants from doing their jobs, peace officers from enforcing laws, or the making of a lawful arrest.
• Classifies blocking a lawful arrest with force or threats as a class 5 felony.
• Keeps other acts of obstructing government functions or peace officers as a class 1 misdemeanor.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who use or threaten violence to stop public servants from doing their jobs.
• Individuals who interfere with police enforcing laws or keeping the peace using force or threats.
• Persons who attempt to block a lawful arrest using force or threats.

Terms To Know

Class 5 felony

A serious crime classification under Arizona law for obstructing a lawful arrest with violence.

Class 1 misdemeanor

The most severe type of minor criminal offense in Arizona, applied to other obstruction acts not involving arrests.

Lawful arrest

An arrest made by an officer with legal authority that this bill specifically protects from violent interference.

Limits and Unknowns

• The governor vetoed this bill on April 13, 2026, so it did not become law unless lawmakers overrode the veto.
• The official text does not specify exact prison time or fines for these crimes.

Official Summary Text

HB2811 - obstructing governmental operations; lawful arrest

Current Bill Text

HB2811 - 572R - H Ver

House Engrossed

obstructing
governmental operations; lawful arrest

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HOUSE BILL 2811

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:

1. The performance of a governmental function by a
public servant acting under color of his 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 official
authority
; or
.

3. The making of a lawful arrest.

B. This section does not apply to the obstruction,
impairment or hinderance of the making of an arrest.

C.

B.

Obstructing governmental
operations pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 3
of this
section is a class 5 felony.
Obstructing governmental
operations
pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 1 or 2

of this section
is a class 1 misdemeanor.
END_STATUTE