Bill to ban 'Sharia law' in Arizona law draws sharp floor debate

Lawmakers debated Senate Bill 10‑18 on April 20, 2026, a measure described on the floor as prohibiting the introduction or recognition of Sharia law in state statutes. The Committee on Federalism, Military Affairs and Elections recommended the bill to pass, but floor debate featured repeated constitutional and community‑impact concerns.

Representative Gillette argued in favor, saying "Sharia law has no place in The United States because the constitution is the supreme law of the land. Period." He urged members to support a firm yes vote.

Opponents, including Representative Marquez and Representative Cruz, raised constitutional separation‑of‑church‑and‑state concerns and warned the bill would divide communities and could target Muslim Americans. Representative Marquez said the bill "seems to have the consequence of dividing our communities, specifically bringing division for the Muslim American community and how they feel treated by our elected bodies," and urged colleagues to vote no.

After floor discussion, the Committee of the Whole recommended SB 10‑18 receive a do‑pass recommendation. The floor exchange recorded both strong affirmations of constitutional primacy and objections that the bill risked discriminatory effects, but no formal third‑reading roll call on final passage was recorded in this session’s excerpt.

Sources: Floor debate during the April 20 House session.