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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
VETOED
AMENDED
ballot measures; description; legislative council
Purpose
Requires either the Legislative Council or a local official as specified, rather than the Secretary of State (SOS) and the Attorney General (AG), to prepare descriptive titles for proposed measures and constitutional amendments.
Background
Statute requires a descriptive title to be printed on the official ballot immediately below the number and official title of the measure. The descriptive title must not exceed 50 words and must be prepared by the SOS and the AG. The SOS and the AG must also prepare a brief phrase that describes the effects of a yes and no vote (A.R.S. § 19-125).
An initiative is the method by which voters may propose new laws or amend existing laws by gathering signatures from registered voters to place the issue on the ballot. A referendum is the method by which voters may veto a law by gathering signatures from registered voters to place the issue on the ballot (SOS).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the Legislative Council, rather than the SOS and the AG, to prepare descriptive titles for proposed measures and constitutional amendments.
2. Requires the Legislative Council to prepare a brief phrase that describes the effects of a yes and no vote.
3. Specifies that for city, town and county measures, the city or town clerk or county officer in charge of elections, and the city, town or county attorney, must prepare descriptive titles for proposed measures and constitutional amendments and a brief phrase that describes the effects of a yes and no vote.
4. Removes the requirement that the AG approve the brief phrases stating the effects of a yes and no vote.
5. Makes conforming changes.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
· Requires, for city, town and county measures, the city or town clerk or county officer in charge of elections, and the city, town or county attorney, to prepare descriptive titles for proposed measures and constitutional amendments and a brief phrase that describes the effects of a yes and no vote.
Governor's Veto Message
The Governor indicates in her veto message that S.B. 1534 unnecessarily alters the responsibility of the AG and SOS to prepare descriptive titles and ballot language.
Senate Action House Action
JUDE 2/19/25 DP 4-3-0 FMAE 3/19/25 DP 4-1-0-2
3rd Read 03/05/25 17-12-1 3rd Read 4/16/25 33-25-2
Vetoed by the Governor 5/2/25
Prepared by Senate Research
May 5, 2025
ZD/AW/ci