obsessive political preoccupation; research; report

SB1712 - 572R - I Ver

REFERENCE TITLE:
obsessive political preoccupation; research; report

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SB 1712

Introduced by

Senator
Shamp

AN
ACT

providing for a study by the department
of health services on OBSESSIVE political preoccupation.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

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

Section 1.
Department of
health services; obsessive political preoccupation; research; report; delayed
repeal; definition

A.
The
director of the department of health services shall conduct or support research
to advance the understanding of obsessive political preoccupation, including
its origins, manifestations and long-term effects on individuals,
communities and public discourse.

b.
The
research conducted prescribed by subsection A of this section shall include:

1. Efforts to identify the
initial emergence or earliest documented cases of obsessive political
preoccupation, including historical and social analyses to trace the onset.

2. An investigation of the
long-term psychological, social or behavioral impacts of obsessive political
preoccupation on affected individuals, communities or public discourse.

3. An analysis of
contributing factors, such as media exposure, political polarization or social
dynamics, to the development or spread of obsessive political preoccupation.

4. Exploration of potential
interventions or strategies to mitigate or prevent obsessive political
preoccupation.

c.
The
director of the department of health services shall collaborate with mental
health professionals, academic institutions and relevant state agencies as
appropriate to achieve the objectives described in subsection B of this
section.

D.
Not
later than one year after the effective date of this section, the director of
the department of health services shall submit a report to the president of the
senate, the speaker of the house of representatives and the governor on the
following:

1. The progress of research
conducted pursuant to this section.

2. Any findings related to
the initial emergence or long-term effects of obsessive political
preoccupation.

3. Recommendations for
further research or public health actions.

E.
This
section is repealed from and after December 31, 2027.

F.
For
the purposes of this section, "obsessive political preoccupation"
means a behavioral or psychological phenomenon that is characterized by intense
emotional or psychological reactions to Donald J. Trump, his actions or his
public presence as observed in individuals or groups
.

Sec. 2.
Legislative findings

A. The legislature finds
that:

1. The United States
thrives on liberty, opportunity and civil discourse, yet extreme political
polarization has fractured national unity, threatening the democratic values
cherished by Arizonans.

2. From 2017 to 2021,
President Donald J. Trump's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 reduced the corporate
tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, driving record economic growth with a
median household income of $68,700 in 2019.

3. President Trump's first
term achieved historic unemployment lows of 5.4 percent for African-Americans
and 3.9 percent for Hispanic-Americans in 2019, lifting millions out of
poverty and advancing opportunity for all.

4. Through deregulation,
President Trump eliminated 22 regulations for every new one in 2017, saving $33
billion annually by 2018, empowering Arizona's small businesses and innovators.

5. The Abraham Accords of
2020, brokered by President Trump, normalized relations between Israel and
nations like the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, strengthening America's
global leadership.

6. After reelection on
January 20, 2025, President Trump issued over 200 executive actions,
eliminating harmful mandates and affirming biological truth in federal policy
to protect family values.

7. The Laken Riley Act,
signed January 29, 2025, has enhanced border security by mandating detention of
criminal illegal aliens, better safeguarding Arizona communities.

8. Through tariffs,
President Trump's economic policies in his second term have added 671,000 jobs
by July 2025 and generated a $27.2 billion surplus in the Department of the
Treasury, bolstering prosperity.

9. In 2025, President Trump
brokered a Gaza ceasefire and aided Israel in resolving the June Iran-Israel
conflict, reinforcing America's role as a global peacemaker.

10. Despite these
contributions to America's prosperity, security and values, obsessive political
preoccupation has emerged since his 2016 campaign.

11. Selective media
reporting and amplification of unverified claims about President Trump's
conduct have fueled obsessive political preoccupation, intensifying polarized
public reactions and deepening societal division.

12. Obsessive political
preoccupation has led to significant social harm, with Americans who support
President Trump or his policies reporting discrimination, intimidation or
ostracism in professional, academic and social settings, further eroding
community cohesion.

13. Obsessive political
preoccupation has contributed to psychological harm, with studies from the
American Psychological Association documenting surges in political anxiety and
bias during Trump's tenure, undermining civil discourse in Arizona and beyond.

14. This irrational animus
culminated in two assassination attempts on President Trump, one in Blazer,
Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024 where a gunman grazed President Trump's ear and
killed a bystander, and another at his Florida golf course on September 15,
2024, both demonstrating the dangerous escalation of obsessive political
preoccupation-driven hatred.

15. The people of Arizona
have a proud history of independent thought, open debate and a patriotic
commitment to preserving liberty and the rule of law.

16. A comprehensive
approach is required to address obsessive political preoccupation and its
impact on public health by studying its origins, manifestations and effects to
inform strategies for promoting civil well-being and reducing societal
division.

B. Based on these findings:

1. The legislature declares
obsessive political preoccupation to be a public health crisis that affects
mental health, social cohesion and political stability in this state.

2. The purpose of this act
is to protect public health and respond to the harms of political polarization
by:

(a) Directing the
Department of Health Services to conduct or support research on obsessive
political preoccupation, including its psychological and social impacts.

(b) Requiring the
department to collaborate with mental health professionals and other
stakeholders to develop interventions for mitigating obsessive political
preoccupation-related division.

(c) Mandating a report on
findings and recommendations to state leaders within one year to guide future
public health strategies.

Sec. 3.
Short title

This act may be cited as the
"Obsessive Political Preoccupation Study Act".