John Kavanagh, a Republican, represents District 3 in the Arizona State Senate, which he joined on January 9, 2023, and is on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot for re-election.[1]
He is the Senate majority leader, a post he has held since June 27, 2025.[1][2]Kavanagh was born in New York City, served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1971 to 1976, and holds a bachelor's degree from New York University and a doctorate from Rutgers University.[1]His career experience includes working as a college professor and police detective sergeant.[1]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned
›Rights & public safety394 with · 4 against399 votes
Modifies sentencing requirements for persons convicted of selling a dangerous or narcotic drug if the narcotic drug sold contributed to the death of a minor.
Jun 12, 2026 · Failed 14–14 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Subject to voter approval, statutorily declares that drug cartels are terrorist organizations and requires the Arizona Department of Homeland Security ( AZDHS ) to do everything in its authority to address the threat posed by drug cartels.
Jun 27, 2025 · Failed 14–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
An emergency measure that expands the time period prior to an election during which a person, city, town or county is prohibited from removing or tampering with lawfully placed political signs.
Mar 10, 2026 · Failed 15–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Requires a school district governing board (governing board), before calling an election to issue school district bonds, to hire an independent municipal advisor on a contingency fee basis to assist the governing board with the election and any issuance of school district bonds, with certain exceptions. Outlines requirements and duties for an independent municipal advisor who is hired by a school district.
Jun 12, 2026 · Failed 15–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Requires the Arizona State Land Commissioner (Commissioner) to prioritize the sale of state lands that are subject to an underperforming commercial lease if the lessee provides notice to the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) that the lessee is willing and prepared to purchase the parcel in fee simple consistent with outlined requirements. Prescribes requirements relating to the sale of state lands that are subject to an underperforming commercial lease.
Jun 12, 2026 · Passed 16–13 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Subject to voter approval, constitutionally prohibits a school district from using public monies and resources to support a labor organization's operations or perform labor organization activities during working hours beginning January 1, 2028. Prohibits a school district employee from distributing any communications in a manner that consumes public resources on a labor organization's behalf beginning January 1, 2028.
Jun 12, 2026 · Passed 16–13 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Establishes regulations governing the use of stem cell and regenerative therapies that are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Jun 12, 2026 · Passed 16–13 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Prohibits a health care insurer, beginning January 1, 2027, from reimbursing a health professional at a different rate based on a covered individual's decision to refuse one or more vaccines.
Mar 10, 2026 · Passed 16–13 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Requires a school district governing board (governing board), before calling an election to issue school district bonds, to hire an independent municipal advisor on a contingency fee basis to assist the governing board with the election and any issuance of school district bonds, with certain exceptions. Outlines requirements and duties for an independent municipal advisor who is hired by a school district.
Jun 12, 2026 · Failed 15–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Subject to voter approval, constitutionally prohibits a school district from using public monies and resources to support a labor organization's operations or perform labor organization activities during working hours beginning January 1, 2028. Prohibits a school district employee from distributing any communications in a manner that consumes public resources on a labor organization's behalf beginning January 1, 2028.
Jun 12, 2026 · Passed 16–13 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Subject to voter approval, constitutionally prohibits the state from confiscating monies from any scholarship account of a student who is a child of a military family if outlined conditions are met. Stipulates that, if a law or measure approved by the voters on or after November 1, 2026, violates the prohibition, the entire law or measure is void. Designates this resolution as the Military Families College Savings and Scholarship Protection Act .
Jun 12, 2026 · Passed 16–13 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted Feb 26, 2026: Changes the split of watercraft registration fees to 55 percent (was 65) for the Watercraft Licensing Fund, and sets fixed county percentages for the Law Enforcement and Boating Safety Fund in place of a Game and Fish Commission formula.
Jun 12, 2026 · Failed 15–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Outlines the conditions that allow a utility to construct a new plant without filing for or receiving a certificate of environmental compatibility (certificate).
Jun 10, 2026 · Failed 15–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Adds, to the statutorily prescribed conditions that allow the Arizona Game and Fish Commission (Commission) to close a shooting range, that the Legislature must adopt a joint resolution approving the closure.
Jun 10, 2026 · Passed 16–13 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Prohibits a commercial motor vehicle operator who is issued a nondomiciled commercial driver license (CDL) from operating in Arizona without evidence of lawful immigration status or lawful presence in the United States, prescribes penalties for failing to provide evidence that may include placing the driver out-of-service and impounding the vehicle and its cargo, and outlines procedures for out-of-service orders, the retrieval of impounded vehicles and cargo and the payment of related charges and fees.
Establishes the Office of Advanced Air Mobility (Office) and outlines requirements relating to the Office. Appropriates $500,000 from the Advanced Air Mobility Fund (Fund) in FY 2027 to the Office to grant to entities for the advancement of advanced air mobility in Arizona.
Conditional on the enactment of S.B. 1827, appropriates $500,000 from the Advanced Air Mobility Fund (Fund) in FY 2027 to the Office of Advanced Air Mobility for operation and support.
Allows the county board of supervisors (county BOS) of each county to adopt ordinances and regulations that allow small land subdivisions of 6 to 10 lots or parcels for parcels that are 2 acres or more in size and not subject to an assured water supply requirement or a mandatory adequate water supply requirement. Requires an applicant for small land subdivisions to submit a small land subdivision report and notice. Prescribes disclosure requirements for small land subdivisions and civil penalties for violations.
Apr 16, 2025 · Passed 16–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Reduces the maximum assessment paid by a residential contractor every two years and prescribes adjustments to the assessment amount based on the total balance of the Residential Contractors' Recovery Fund (Fund) at the end of a fiscal year.
Feb 24, 2025 · Passed 16–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Establishes the Arizona Critical Infrastructure Protection Act to prohibit the use of software and communications equipment produced by a Chinese company in critical infrastructure in Arizona, preempts contracts and agreements that would allow for access or control of critical infrastructure in Arizona, prescribes certification, reporting and publishing requirements and outlines related exceptions.
Jun 12, 2026 · Passed 16–13 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Effective February 2, 2027, requires certain providers of generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems to include provenance data in specified media that is created or materially altered by the system.
Effective January 1, 2026, establishes the Secure Telecommunications Act of 2025 which prohibits, and requires the removal of, any critical telecommunications infrastructure that uses equipment manufactured by a foreign adversary and prescribes reporting requirements for telecommunications providers and penalties for noncompliance.
Apr 15, 2025 · Passed 17–13 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Subject to voter approval, statutorily declares that drug cartels are terrorist organizations and requires the Arizona Department of Homeland Security ( AZDHS ) to do everything in its authority to address the threat posed by drug cartels.
Jun 27, 2025 · Failed 14–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Establishes the Arizona Critical Infrastructure Protection Act to prohibit the use of software and communications equipment produced by a Chinese company in critical infrastructure in Arizona, preempts contracts and agreements that would allow for access or control of critical infrastructure in Arizona, prescribes certification, reporting and publishing requirements and outlines related exceptions.
Jun 12, 2026 · Passed 16–13 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Prohibits a company domiciled in the People's Republic of China from bidding on, submitting a proposal for or entering into a contract with a state agency for goods or services. Requires each company that submits a bid or proposal for a state contract for goods or services to certify that the company is not domiciled in the People's Republic of China. Outlines penalties for a company that submits a false certification letter.
Jun 18, 2025 · Failed 14–13 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Voted against most of their party on 8 of 793 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (4), Climate & energy (2), Housing & rent (2)
narcotic drugs; sales; minor; sentencing
What it does: Modifies sentencing requirements for persons convicted of selling a dangerous or narcotic drug if the narcotic drug sold contributed to the death of a minor.
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–13, Republicans 14–1
What it does: Prohibits counties from preventing, restricting or regulating the use of land or improvements for the construction or operation of electric generating units that have received a Certificate of Environmental Compatibil…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–13, Republicans 13–3
What it does: Requires the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) to use available resources to improve motor fuel and gasoline resilience in Arizona, study and develop recommendations relating to the outlined oil and gas topics and subm…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 0–13, Republicans 14–2
What it does: Redirects, to the Maricopa County Stadium District Fund (District Fund), specified transaction privilege tax (TPT) revenues collected from certain business activities at a Major League Baseball (MLB) facility or adjac…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 6–7, Republicans 13–4
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
Establishes the Arizona Critical Infrastructure Protection Act to prohibit the use of software and communications equipment produced by a Chinese company in critical infrastructure in Arizona, preempts contracts and agreements that would allow for access or control of critical infrastructure in Arizona, prescribes certification, reporting and publishing requirements and outlines related exceptions.
Establishes the School Safety Center (Center) within the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and the School Safety Center Council (Council). Outlines Council membership and duties and requirements on the Center, including administering the School Safety Program (Safety Program). Modifies requirements relating to the Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account Program (ESA Program), including requirements for qualified school personnel to obtain a fingerprint clearance card (FPCC) and for the State Treasurer to transfer monies out of an ESA that exceeds the maximum prior year carryforward.
On the version voted Feb 26, 2026: Changes the split of watercraft registration fees to 55 percent (was 65) for the Watercraft Licensing Fund, and sets fixed county percentages for the Law Enforcement and Boating Safety Fund in place of a Game and Fish Commission formula.
On the version voted Feb 26, 2026: Changes the split of watercraft registration fees to 55 percent (was 65) for the Watercraft Licensing Fund, and sets fixed county percentages for the Law Enforcement and Boating Safety Fund in place of a Game and Fish Commission formula.
Requires counties, cities and towns to adopt standard fees and charges for towing from private properties by private towing carriers based on the market standards or the Department of Public Safety (DPS) tow service agreement as outlined. Prescribes requirements relating to towing from private properties by private towing carriers and requirements relating to the release of an impounded motor vehicle from a private towing carrier. Establishes the Heavy-Duty Truck Towing Study Committee (Study Committee) and outlines Study Committee membership and duties.
Requires counties, cities and towns to adopt standard fees and charges for towing from private properties by private towing carriers based on the market standards or the Department of Public Safety (DPS) tow service agreement as outlined. Prescribes requirements relating to towing from private properties by private towing carriers and requirements relating to the release of an impounded motor vehicle from a private towing carrier. Establishes the Heavy-Duty Truck Towing Study Committee (Study Committee) and outlines Study Committee membership and duties.
Requires a school district governing board (governing board), before calling an election to issue school district bonds, to hire an independent municipal advisor on a contingency fee basis to assist the governing board with the election and any issuance of school district bonds, with certain exceptions. Outlines requirements and duties for an independent municipal advisor who is hired by a school district.
Requires the Department of Child Safety (DCS), if federal grant funding for recording child safety interviews is enacted, to record, by audio or video, any interview conducted with a child who is the subject of an investigation and to apply for federal funding grants to support implementation.
Requires a watercraft owner who provides a watercraft for rent or charter in Arizona at least four times in a calendar year, a boat livery owner who provides a watercraft for hire on a waterway in Arizona and a peer-to-peer watercraft sharing program (sharing program) to maintain a liability insurance policy and prescribes coverage requirements for the policy. Classifies a watercraft owner's or boat livery owner's failure to adhere to the insurance requirements as a class 3 misdemeanor or a class 1 misdemeanor, if the watercraft is involved in an accident in Arizona.
An emergency measure that establishes that images and recordings that depict a deceased minor or child abuse are not subject to public records disclosure, with outlined exceptions.
