Summary of legislative bill activity (Exclusive of budget bills):
| INTRODUCED HOUSE |
INTRODUCED SENATE |
INTRODUCED TOTAL |
TRACKING BY PEOPLES LOBBYISTS |
REACTED TO BY PEOPLES LOBBYISTS |
| 1,027 | 775 | 1,802 | 491 | 154 |
Our 6th year, 9th week. For an activity update on the bills we are tracking, go to here.
We have passed the midpoint of what is intended to be a 100-day session. With few exceptions, all active bills are bills that survived their chamber of origin and are now going through the same process in their second chamber.
We are also in the season of the STRIKE EVERYTHING amendments to bills. We should always pay attention to what is going on with important bills to spot amendments that could change some aspect of the bills. It is even more important that we are alert regarding strike everything amendments because they change the whole content of the bill.
Among the bills that experienced action this week, a few deserve to be highlighted:
SB1164 – immigration laws; local enforcement This bill is in trouble. It got 17 votes in the Senate, but has been faltering in the House. The last obstacle is a proposed strike-everything amendment dealing with in-state tuition for foreign students. That amendment has not been adopted yet, and it is not known whether it will be adopted.
HCR2025 – constitutional amendments; sixty percent vote This bill passed the House along party lines and is awaiting action in the Senate. The Arizona constitution, like any other constitution, should be difficult to amend. If a constitution can be amended by a simple majority of a mob, then it loses a lot of its value.
HB2518 – employment; prohibitions; corporation commission This bill failed 21-35, which is an overwhelming defeat for its supporters. In fact, 12 Republicans voted against it. That does not make any sense, because HB2518 simply prohibits the revolving door of people going back and forth between working for the regulators and the regulated. It should be clear that this behavior constitutes a conflict of interest.
HB2099 – governor; attorney general; duties; immigration This is another bill that requires the governor and the attorney general cooperate in the enforcement of immigration laws. It has cleared the House and now it is on its way to the Senate.
HERE IS THE LIST OF ALL THE TRACKED BILLS THAT SAW ACTION THIS WEEK
Next week, the legislature will continue the high number of bills being considered and the rapid pace at which they are being considered. It seems as though both the Speaker and the President are trying their best to adjourn on the target date of April 26.
Many of those bills will have a profound effect on some or all voters in the state. Here are some examples:
HB2672 – property tax; exemption; veterans; disabilities There are several bills regarding veterans making their way through the legislature. This one is likely the best and most comprehensive. They provide property tax relief without requiring that the veteran be a combat veteran. It extends the same benefits to surviving spouses if they remain in the same home and do not remarry.
HCR2042 – preferential treatment; discrimination; prohibited acts This is a key element of the quest to rid Arizona of the cancer known as DEI. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are only buzz words to justify discriminating non-minority individuals for the alleged sins of their grandfathers. When this bill cleared the House, it did it without a single Democrat vote.
HCR2057 – initiatives; referendums; signature requirement; counties This bill is aimed at protecting the rights of the minority. Currently, to place an initiative on the ballot, it takes 10% of voters if it is a statute and 15% if it is a constitutional amendment. This means that initiatives may be placed on the ballot without any input from Rural Arizona. This bill makes it so that those percentages apply individually to all counties.
SB1013 – municipalities; counties; fee increases; vote Imposes on counties and municipalities the same 2/3 vote requirement to raise taxes and fees as found in the state legislature that resulted from Proposition 108.
SB1092 – vehicle mileage; tracking; tax; prohibitions This would prevent municipalities from tracking and imposing taxes on travel. It is a freedom of movement bill. That freedom does not exist in communist countries. The bill is needed because enough municipalities want to follow the communist model of restricting travel.
SB1371 – income tax; subtraction; retirement distribution This is a tax break for low and middle income retirees. These folks, who are on fixed incomes, are greatly affected by the skyrocketing cost of food, shelter, and other necessities. This would be a welcome relief for them. Perhaps the federal government could do the same.
SB1471 – electric vehicles; gas tax equivalent Fuel taxes are levies to fund road repairs. Both electric and fuel-operated vehicles cause the same amount of road damage. This bill would make electric vehicles pay their fair share of road repairs.
LIST OF ALL TRACKED BILLS SCHEDULED FOR ACTION NEXT WEEK