REFERENCE TITLE: state officers; judges; legislative removal

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-second Legislature First Regular Session 2015

HCR 2006

Introduced by Representatives Petersen: Fann, Finchem, Lawrence, Mitchell

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

proposing an amendment to the constitution of arizona; amending article VIII, part 2, constitution of arizona, by adding section 3; relating to removal from office.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:

1.  Article VIII, part 2, Constitution of Arizona, is proposed to be amended by adding section 3 as follows if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor:

3.  Removal of nonelected state officers, judges and justices; legislature; definitions

A.  Except as provided in part 2, sections 1 and 2 of this article, the legislature may remove a state officer, judge or justice at any time if at least two‑thirds of the members of each house of the legislature vote to remove the state officer, judge or justice from office.  When the legislature removes a state officer, judge or justice from office, the house in which the resolution originated shall deliver a copy of the resolution of removal, certified by the presiding officer of the house of origin, to the secretary of state, who shall notify the governor.

B.  For the purposes of this section:

1.  "Judge" means a judge of the Arizona court of appeals or the superior court and who is not elected.

2.  "Justice" means a justice of the Arizona supreme court.

3.  "State officer" means any person who is the head of a state agency, department, board, commission, committee or council and who is not elected.

2.  The Secretary of State shall submit this proposition to the voters at the next general election as provided by article XXI, Constitution of Arizona.