ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session Majority Research Staff
	Senate: GOV DPA 5-1-1-0 | Third Read 18-10-2-0-0 House: GOV DP 4-3-0-0

---

SB 1663: freedom of speech monument; committee

Sponsor: Senator Bolick, LD 2

Caucus & COW

Overview

Establishes the Freedom of Speech Monument Committee (Committee) to add two deceased individuals each year to the freedom of speech monument. Permits the placement of a freedom of speech monument in the governmental mall.

History

A legislative act authorizes the placement of a memorial in the governmental mall. Following legislative authorization, the proponents must submit their concept, including the design, dimensions and location, to Legislative Council. Legislative Council is then responsible for determining the most appropriate location that highlights the memorial and preserves the integrity of the governmental mall. Moreover, Legislative Council can relocate any memorials in the governmental mall. The approved memorial must be completed within two years of the legislative act. All funding is the sole responsibility of the proponents. Further, the proponents are responsible for the cost to conform to the approved design following any deviation from the approved design (A.R.S. § 41-1363).

Provisions

1. Establishes the Committee to nominate and approve two individuals each year who have been deceased for at least five years and who are from different political parties to be added to the Freedom of Speech Monument for their contributions to preserving freedom of speech in Arizona. (Sec. 1)

2. Includes the following members to serve on the Committee:

a. the President of the Senate or their designee;

b. the Speaker of the House of Representatives or their designee;

c. the Senate Majority Leader or their designee;

d. the House of Representatives Majority Leader or their designee;

e. the Senate Minority Leader or their designee;

f. the House of Representatives Minority Leader or their designee; and

g. the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or their designee. (Sec. 1)

3. Designates the Speaker of the House of Representatives or their designee to serve as the chairperson in odd-numbered years and the President of the Senate or their designee to serve as the chairperson in even-numbered years. (Sec. 1)

4. Instructs the Committee to meet on the call of the chairperson. (Sec. 1)

5. Authorizes Legislative Council to provide for the placement of a freedom of speech monument in the governmental mall. (Sec. 2)

6. Specifies that the procedures in statute relating to monuments and memorials apply to the establishment of the monument. (Sec. 2)

7. Asserts that all fundraising and contracts related to the monument are the proponents' sole responsibility. (Sec. 2)

8. Prohibits the use of public monies for the costs of the monument and Arizona from facilitating fundraising for the deposit of the monies. (Sec. 2)

9. Repeals this legislation on September 30, 2029. (Sec. 2)

10.

11.

12. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

13. Initials ML/MN   SB 1663

14. 3/18/2026  Page 0 Caucus & COW

15.

16. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------