I have simple expression that should be true, but is testing for false:

		if(ZAPexists($args['rules']) == false) return 'rules filter not found';

I'm sure it is true, because when I add just before this line: 

print_r(ZAPexists($args['rules']));die();

it will print a 1

Also, I double debugged the ZAPexists function thoroughly to make sure it is getting the right input, and the right if line is being returned to give me a true value. This is truly perplexing...