 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
Maricopa county; division; new counties
Purpose
Effective January 1, 2026, prescribes new boundaries to Maricopa County by moving portions of the county into the boundaries of Gila County, La Paz County, Pinal County, Yavapai County and Yuma County.
Background
Arizona is comprised of 15 counties and statute prescribes the boundaries that encapsulate each county. Counties may be formed or divided by a legislative enactment, statewide initiative or county initiative (A.R.S. Title 11, Chapter 1).
According to the 2020 U.S. Decennial Census, the population of Maricopa County is estimated to be 4,420,568 persons, the population of Pinal County is estimated to be 425,257 persons, the population of Gila County is estimated to be 53,272 persons, the population of Yavapai County is estimated to be 236,218 persons, the population of La Paz County is estimated to be 16,555 persons and the population of Yuma County is estimated to be 203,880 persons (U.S. Census Bureau).
If the new county boundaries affect state assistance not currently received by Maricopa County, S.B. 1100 would potentially generate a cost to the state General Fund.
Provisions
1. Modifies the boundaries of Maricopa County by moving portions of the county into the boundaries of Gila County, La Paz County, Pinal County, Yavapai County and Yuma County.
2. Requires the Legislative Council Staff to prepare proposed legislation conforming the Arizona Revised Statutes to the formation of the new counties for consideration in the Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session.
3. Becomes effective on January 1, 2026.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 27, 2025
AN/DL/slp