ARIZONA STATE SENATE

RESEARCH STAFF

MOLLY GRAVER

LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH INTERN

JEFFREY ONG

LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH ANALYST

GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

Telephone: (602) 926 -3171

TO:                  MEMBERS OF THE SENATE

GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

DATE:            February 12, 2018

SUBJECT:      Strike everything amendment to S.B. 1235, relating to state holiday; Native American day

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Purpose

Establishes June 2 as Native American Day.

Background

Twenty-Two tribes are currently recognized in Arizona and tribal reservation land covers over a quarter of the state. An estimated five to six percent of Arizona’s total population is of Native American ancestry making it the second largest Native American population in the United States (Office on Tribal Relations).

Currently, three states have declared Native American Day an official state holiday. California and Nevada celebrate Native American Day on the fourth Friday in September while South Dakota chose the second Monday in October to replace Columbus Day. Also, Tennessee celebrates American Indian Day on the fourth Monday of September.

On June 2, 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 into law granting citizenship to Native Americans born within the United States. According to the National Park Service, some Native Americans had previously received citizenship through military service, by receipt of allotments, or through special treaties or special statutes, but many were still not citizens.

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Establishes June 2 as Native American Day.

2. Contains a legislative findings clause.

3. Makes technical and conforming changes.

4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.