Arizona State Legislature
Arizona State Legislature | |
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TJ Shope (R) since November 8, 2022 | |
Structure | |
Seats |
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political groups |
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House political groups |
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Salary | $24,000/per year + per diem |
Elections | |
Last Senate election | November 8, 2022 |
Last House election | November 8, 2022 |
Next Senate election | November 5, 2024 |
Next House election | November 5, 2024 |
Redistricting | Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission |
Meeting place | |
Arizona State Capitol 1700 W. Washington St. Phoenix, Arizona • 85007 | |
Website | |
www |
33°26′53″N 112°5′47″W / 33.44806°N 112.09639°W
The Arizona State Legislature is the
The state is divided into 30 legislative districts, each of which elects one senator and two representatives. Legislators are term-limited to eight consecutive years in office, but can run again after two years, or run for a seat in the other house.
Currently, Republicans have narrow two-seat majorities in the House and Senate, and all 90 seats of the Legislature are up for re-election on November 5, 2024.
History
Pre-statehood
Congress formed the
Early years of statehood
On June 20, 1910, President
Arizona's first legislature had 19 state senators and 35 state representatives and convened March 18, 1912.[1] The legislature met on a biennial basis until 1950, when a constitutional amendment provided for annual sessions.[1]
Legislative process
The Arizona Legislature is responsible for making laws in the state of Arizona. The first step in the legislative process is bill drafting. First, legislators must submit a bill request to the legislative council staff.[2] Additionally, a legislator-elect may submit a bill request or private citizens can obtain authorization from a legislator to use the legislator's name before giving instructions to the legislative council staff.[2] The legislative council staff delivers a bill draft to the sponsor or requester and if directed, will prepare the bill for introduction.[2]
Bills undergo three or four readings during the legislative process. After the first reading, they are assigned to committee. Committees can amend measures or hold legislation and prevent it from advancing. Once committee action is completed, the bill undergoes a second hearing and a third hearing, which happens just before the floor vote on it.[1] The bill is then sent to the opposite legislative house for consideration. If approved, without amendment, it is sent to the governor. If there is amendment, however, the first legislative house may either reconsider the bill with amendments or ask for the establishment of a conference committee to work out differences in the versions of the bill passed by each chamber. Once a piece of legislation approved by both houses is forwarded to the governor, it may either be signed or vetoed. If it is signed, it takes effect on the effective date of the legislation. If it is vetoed, lawmakers may override the veto with a vote by a two-thirds majority in both chambers.[1]
Alternatively, instead of presenting the measure to the governor, the legislature may order that it be submitted to the people.[3] If the measure is approved by the people, the Governor has no power to veto it,[4] and the legislature may not repeal it,[5] and may not amend it unless the amending legislation furthers the purposes of such measure and at least three-fourths of the members of each house of the legislature, by a roll call of ayes and nays, vote to amend such measure.[6]
Membership
Districting
There are 30 legislative districts in Arizona, each of which is a multi-member constituency. Each district elects a state senator and two state representatives for a two-year term. The combining of upper and lower house districts into a single constituency is known as
Qualifications
To run for either the House or Senate within the Arizona State Legislature, you must be at least 25 years of age, a district resident for a minimum of one year, a U.S. citizen, and an Arizona resident for at least three years.[7]
Additionally, it is required to file several documents to qualify on the ballot, including a Statement of Interest, Nomination Paper, Financial Disclosure Statement, and Nomination Petitions. As of January 2, 2024, candidates seeking office without a designated political party affiliation must get a minimum of one half of 1% of all qualified Arizona voters' signatures, while those with no party affiliation must collect the signatures of at least 3% of registered voters who also have no party affiliation.[8]
Compensation
The annual base salary for all members of the Arizona State Legislature is $24,000. They have not received a raise since 1998.[9] Members receive additional compensation for business expenses related to traveling and staying in the Arizona state capital of Phoenix located in Maricopa County. Lawmakers living in Maricopa County receive $35 per day in subsistence and mileage payments for their first 120 days in office, dropping to $10 per day subsequently. On the other hand, lawmakers living outside of Maricopa County receive a $238 per diem for their first 120 days, which is then cut in half to $119 per day.[10]
Term limits
On November 3, 1992, Arizona voters overwhelmingly approved Arizona Proposition 107, Members who are term-limited in one house frequently seek election to other positions within the state.
Party composition and elections
Party division of the legislature since the 1996 elections:[13]
Year | Senate | House |
---|---|---|
1997–1998 | 18 R, 12 D | 38 R, 22 D |
1999–2000 | 16 R, 14 D | 40 R, 20 D |
2001–2002 | 15 R, 15 D | 36 R, 24 D |
2003–2004 | 17 R, 13 D | 39 R, 21 D |
2005–2006 | 19 R, 11 D | 38 R, 22 D |
2007–2008 | 16 R, 14 D | 33 R, 27 D |
2009–2010 | 18 R, 12 D | 35 R, 25 D |
2011–2012 | 21 R, 9 D | 40 R, 20 D |
2013–2014 | 17 R, 13 D | 38 R, 22 D |
2015–Nov. 2015 | 17 R, 13 D | 36 R, 24 D |
Dec. 2015–2016 | 18 R, 12 D[14] | 36 R, 24 D |
2017–2018 | 17 R, 13 D | 35 R, 25 D |
2019–2020 | 17 R, 13 D | 31 R, 29 D |
2021–2022 | 16 R, 14 D | 31 R, 29 D |
2023–2024 | 16 R, 14 D | 31 R, 29 D |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Legislative Manual" (PDF). Arizona Legislative Council. Retrieved April 26, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Legislative Council". Azleg.gov. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
- ^ Ariz. Const. Art. IV, Part I, § 1(15).
- ^ Ariz. Const. Art. IV, Part I, § 1(6)(A).
- ^ Ariz. Const. Art. IV, Part I, § 1(6)(B).
- ^ Ariz. Const. Art. IV, Part I, § 1(6)(C).
- ^ "Eligibility Requirements to Run for the State Legislature". www.ncsl.org. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ "Running for Office". June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ Duda, Jeremy (April 4, 2022). "Legislators haven't had a raise since 1998, and haven't had a chance at once since 2014. Here's why". Arizona Mirror. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Times, Camryn Sanchez Arizona Capitol (June 16, 2023). "How much do lawmakers make for how much work? | Arizona Capitol Times". Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ "Arizona Proposition 107, Term Limits for Congressional and State Elected Officials Initiative (1992)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ a b "Constitution of Arizona, art. 4, pt. 2, § 21". Arizona State Legislature. Archived from the original on May 4, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
- ^ "State of Arizona Official Canvass". Arizona Secretary of State. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
- ^ "Arizona lawmaker Carlyle Begay switches political party". AZCentral. November 23, 2015. Retrieved November 23, 2015.