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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
constitutional amendments; sixty percent vote
Purpose
Subject to voter approval, constitutionally requires proposed amendments to the Arizona Constitution to be approved by 60 percent of the vote.
Background
The Arizona Constitution grants the people the power to: 1) propose laws and amendments to the Arizona Constitution; 2) enact or reject laws and amendments at the polls, independent of the Legislature; and 3) approve or reject any item, section or part of any act of the Legislature at the polls. Amendments to the Arizona Constitution and the Arizona Revised Statutes may be proposed in either legislative chamber or by initiative power. When a proposed amendment is approved by a majority of each legislative chamber or when an initiative petition is filed with the Secretary of State (SOS), the SOS must submit the proposed amendment to a vote of the people at the next general election. Any initiative measure or referendum becomes law when approved by a majority of votes cast and upon proclamation of the Governor, except for initiatives or referendums that approve a tax, in which case the measure must be approved by 60 percent of the vote (Ariz. Const. art. 4, pt. 1, § 1 and art. 21, § 1).
The Arizona Constitution provides individuals with a fundamental right to abortion, and generally prohibits the state from enacting, adopting or enforcing any law, regulation or policy that denies, restricts or interferes with that right (Ariz. Const. art. 2, § 8.1).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires proposed amendments to the Arizona Constitution to be approved by 60 percent of the vote, except for an initiative to amend Section 2, Article 8.1 of the Arizona Constitution relating to the fundamental right to abortion.
2. Makes conforming changes.
3. Requires the Secretary of State to submit the proposition to the voters at the next general election.
4. Becomes effective if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor.
House Action
GOV 2/20/25 DP 4-3-0-0
3rd Read 3/11/25 31-26-3
Prepared by Senate Research
March 24, 2025
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