Assigned to JUD FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to JUD FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
Purpose
Subject to voter approval, establishes four-year terms and a limit of two consecutive terms for members of the Arizona Legislature.
Background
The Arizona Constitution stipulates that terms for members of the Arizona State Senate and the Arizona House of Representatives last two years (Ariz. Const. art. 4, pt. 2, § 21). For terms beginning after January 1, 1993, a limit of four consecutive terms in office was imposed for members of both chambers.
5 states currently have bicameral legislatures in which members of both houses serve four-year terms. 12 states have bicameral legislatures in which both houses serve two-year terms. 32 states have bicameral legislatures in which members of the Senate serve four-year terms and members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms. Senators of Nebraska's unicameral legislature serve four-year terms (National Conference of State Legislatures).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires, beginning with the 55th Legislature in 2021, the terms for members of the Arizona Senate and House of Representatives to be for four years.
2. Prohibits, beginning in 2021, legislators from serving for more than two consecutive terms in the same legislative office.
3. Stipulates that legislators who serve consecutive terms immediately preceding a term beginning in 2021 may serve as follows:
a) legislators who serve three consecutive terms in one house of the legislature and whose first term began in January 2015 may serve one additional consecutive term in that house and are not eligible for a fifth consecutive term in that chamber;
b) legislators who serve two consecutive terms in one house of the legislature and whose first term began in January 2017 may serve one additional consecutive term in that house and are not eligible for a fourth consecutive term in that chamber; and
c) legislators who serve one term in a house of the legislature and whose first term began in January 2019 without prior consecutive service in that house may serve two additional consecutive terms in that chamber.
4. Makes technical and conforming changes.
5. Requires the Secretary of State to submit the proposition to the voters at the next general election.
6. Becomes effective if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor.
House Action
GOV 2/1/18 DP 5-2-0-1
3rd Read 3/5/18 DPA 33-22-5
Prepared by Senate Research
March 20, 2018
JA/lat