PHOENIX – Arizona State Senate President Karen Fann announced on Friday that the chamber would reconvene on Tuesday to vote on bills passed by the House last week.
On May 8, the Senate met to vote to adjourn sine die despite the fact that the House had cancelled plans to do the same.
On Friday, the House adjourned sine die after passing several bills.
Warren Petersen on the “Reopening Arizona Bill” and getting Arizona back to work.
#550KFYI #Circus #JamesTHarris https://t.co/miRBp2zhCa— James T Harris (@JamesTHarris) May 22, 2020
One of the key bills, HB2912, sponsored by Rep. John Kavanagh, is designed to reopen Arizona and limit penalties associated with violating Governor Ducey’s partially lifted stay-at-home executive order. Sen. Eddie Farnsworth introduced the same bill in the Senate, which if passed, will protect Arizonans from frivolous lawsuits related to COVID-19 in an effort to facilitate the reopening of their businesses.
HB2912 is not currently on the calendar and is currently held up because key Senators like Republican Heather Carter are reportedly opposed and working with Senate Democrats to defeat the bill. It is unclear if Senate Republicans will be able to overcome opposition to get the job-boosting bill passed.
“After several weeks of the legislature adapting to COVID-19 precautions and working through important public policy issues, the House of Representatives adjourned sine die yesterday, May 21st, 2020,” said Fann in a press release. “The Senate, as required, will convene Tuesday May 26th at 11:00 a.m., to address business and bills transmitted by the House as well as a limited Senate third read agenda and ultimately formally sine die the 54th Legislature, Second Regular Session.”
“It is the best course of action during these unprecedented times and we will shift focus to a forthcoming special sessions where we can address economic stimulus and recovery initiatives, liability concerns, meet the health and human services needs of the state and other legislation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.” Fann concluded, “I look forward to working with the Governor and the House of Representatives in the very near future to continue to ensure the strength of Arizona’s economy and the safety of all our citizens.”
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