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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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
Arizona's electoral districts are different from those in most U.S. states. 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.
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
Term limits
Under article 4, part 2, section 21 of the
Party composition and elections
Party division of the legislature since the 1996 Elections:[8]
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[9] | 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).
- ^ 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.