Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byClement Kelley Modified over 9 years ago
1
Legislative 101: Session Recap and Advocacy Tips League of Arizona Cities and Towns
2
Session at a Glance Adjourned sine die on April 3, 2015 (81 st day) General Effective Date: July 3, 2015 1,163 bills introduced 344 bills sent to the Governor (approx. 30%) 324 bills signed 20 vetoes
3
Session Challenges New Governor, Leadership, and House members Statutory punishments – “Matter of statewide concern” Limited local government experience Budget deficit
4
Session Challenges, cont. Local Government Preemption – Growing trend; several attempts to override local control – Able to defeat large economic impact measures – Factual education the foundation of our success
5
Laws Passed
6
TPT/Budget Bills Passed SB 1446 TPT reform; contractors SB 1471 revenue; budget reconciliation; 2015- 2016
7
League Resolutions Passed H2214 majority vote calculation; municipal elections
8
Preemptions Passed SB 1072 local planning; residential housing; prohibition SB 1079 solid waste collection; multifamily housing SB 1342 responsibility of payment; utility services SB 1241 auxiliary containers; regulation;
9
Failed Bills
10
League Resolution Failed HB 2324 intergovernmental agreements; public agency indemnification
11
Failed Preemptions HB 2254 municipal tax exemption; residential lease HB 2570 municipalities; vegetation requirements; prohibition SB 1167 photo radar; prohibition
12
Failed Gun Bills HB 2320 firearms; permit holders; public places HB 1291 firearms; state preemption; penalties SB 1330 prohibited activities; second amendment violations
13
Failed TPT Bills SB1120 fine art; TPT; exemption SB 1133 TPT; municipalities; customer refund claims HB 2419 prohibited transaction fees; municipalities
14
Future Challenges Budget – school funding, HURF Local decision making preemption Regulatory reform/“small” government Economic development TPT Local Authority and State Transition Elections
15
Influencing the Legislature
16
League Assistance - How Can you get Involved Bulletin Bulletin Monday Call Monday Call Intergov Intergov Request To Speak Request To Speak
17
Influencing the Legislature Establish relationships Become a resource Keep in contact Meeting do’s and don’ts Committee testimony Count votes
18
Establish Relationships Personal visits At their office At your office Invite to community events Recognize that you will not agree 100% of time Tours Offer to be a resource
19
Become a Resource Provide factual information Timely and complete responses to inquiries Make connections to other resources
20
Keep in Contact Maintain relationships Periodically check in Send notes of recognition for the work they are accomplishing Don’t always be asking for something
21
Meeting Do’s and Don’ts Respect the office Recognize that they may not vote your way 100% of the time Know your issue and position Cover one issue at a time Be clear in what you are asking Follow up a positive vote with a letter of thanks
22
Role of Committees Opportunity for legislators to hear public comment Bills can be assigned to numerous committees: -Sometimes it affects several different areas (i.e., Cities & Transportation) -Sometimes it is done to stall a bill, and prevent its passage Each committee has an analyst that is knowledgeable in that subject area and is responsible for summarizing the bill
23
Role of Committee Chair Committee chair is responsible for scheduling each bill for a hearing Because the committee chair does not have to schedule the bill at all, the committee chair is a powerful role Many bills are never heard in committee and are essentially “dead” for the rest of the session
24
Before the Committee Hearing A significant amount of work is done prior to the committee hearing Lobbyists will try to meet with legislators prior to the hearing to influence their opinion on legislation If amendments are going to be added to the bill, there are specific deadlines for distribution of amendments Committee staff must summarize each bill that is scheduled for a committee hearing
25
Committee Testimony Have reasonable expectations Respect the process Be factual Be concise No personal attacks or questioning of motives Avoid being argumentative
26
Committee of the Whole (COW) COW is when the all members of the Senate or House convene as a committee Opportunity for debate – begins with bill sponsor briefly explaining bill and other members have the opportunity to comment/ask questions Committee amendments and COW (floor) amendments are formally added to the bill
27
Count Votes 31 and 16 Know where you stand Follow up Reaffirm position
28
After bill passes House/Senate Bills have to be heard in both chambers – after bill passes House or Senate, it must go to opposite chamber There are certain dates by which all House bills must pass the House and all Senate bills must pass the Senate -If the bill does not meet these deadlines, it is essentially “dead” (monitor for strikers)
29
Governor’s Actions After a bill reaches the Governor’s desk, the Governor can do the following: 1. Sign the bill 2. Veto the bill and return it to the House or Senate with a statement of why it was vetoed (Legislature can override with a two-thirds vote of each chamber) 3. Allow the bill to become law without signature – this means that no action is taken on the bill and after 5 days (10 if the Legislature has adjourned), it becomes law
30
Learning More League of Arizona Cities and Towns www.azleague.org State Legislature www.azleg.gov Secretary of State www.azsos.gov Arizona Capitol Times www.azcapitoltimes.com
31
Questions
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.