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Legislative overviewThe second regular session of Arizona's Centennial Legislature adjourned sine die at 8:25 p.m. on Thursday, May 3, the 114th day of the legislative session. After negotiators reached agreement on an $8.6 billion budget for the coming year, the House and Senate proceeded to pass a series of bills incorporating that agreement on Tuesday, May 1. The fiscal impacts of the budget on cities and towns are highly positive. The League was categorically successful with respect to its two budget priorities for the coming year: 1) elimination of the assessment on municipalities to help fund the Department of Water Resources; and 2) reduction in the amount of Highway User Revenue Funds diverted away from cities and towns. In addition, the budget provides funds that will help local jurisdictions upgrade their aging 9-1-1 emergency response systems. (See stories below.)Following passage of the budget bills, the Legislature spent the following two days clearing legislation that had stalled or otherwise been deferred until the end of the session. In the waning hours of the Legislature, final approval was given to HB 2571 (NOW: state personnel system), a package of personnel reforms representing the governor's top legislative priority for the year, and HB 2815 (employment; incentives; regulatory tax credit), a bill that expands the use of Arizona job training funds and reduces taxation of net capital gains. There are 83 bills remaining on the governor's desk for signature or veto. The deadline for her to take action on these bills is Tuesday, May 15. Bills that are neither vetoed nor signed into law by the governor will become law without her signature. The general effective date for legislation enacted this year is August 2, 2012. On Monday, April 30, the newest member of the House of Representatives took the oath of office. Rep. Nicholas Fontana (I-Tucson) was appointed by the Pima County Board of Supervisors to assume the Legislative District 29 seat recently vacated by former Rep. Daniel Patterson. Fontana, a practicing attorney, has announced that he will not seek election to the House in the fall. |
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Legislative Bulletin is published by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. Forward your comments or suggestions to league@azleague.org. |
