ARIZONA STATE SENATE
RESEARCH STAFF
|
MOLLY GRAVER |
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LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH INTERN |
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JEFFREY ONG |
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LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH ANALYST GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Telephone: (602) 926 -3171 |
DATE: March 8, 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 may be a fiscal impact to the state General Fund since Native American Day would be a state holiday.
Provisions
1. Establishes June 2 as Native American Day and a state holiday.
2. Specifies when Native American Day falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday will be observed as a holiday.
3. Contains a legislative findings clause.
4. Makes technical and conforming changes.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Revision
· Stipulates there may be a fiscal impact to the state General Fund.
Senate Action
GOV 2/14/18 DPA/SE 7-0-0