Assigned to GOV AS
PASSED BY COW
Assigned to GOV AS
PASSED BY COW
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
state holiday; Native
American Day
(NOW: Native American day; state holiday)
Purpose
Establishes June 2 as Native American Day.
Background
Twenty-Two tribes are currently recognized in Arizona and tribal reservation land covers over a quarter of the state. An estimated five to six percent of Arizona’s total population is of Native American ancestry making it the second largest Native American population in the United States (Office on Tribal Relations).
Currently, three states have declared Native American Day an official state holiday. California and Nevada celebrate Native American Day on the fourth Friday in September while South Dakota chose the second Monday in October to replace Columbus Day. Also, Tennessee celebrates American Indian Day on the fourth Monday of September.
On June 2, 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 into law granting citizenship to Native Americans born within the United States. According to the National Park Service, some Native Americans had previously received citizenship through military service, by receipt of allotments, or through special treaties or special statutes, but many were still not citizens.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Establishes June 2 as Native American Day and an unpaid state holiday.
2. Contains a legislative findings clause.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
· Adopted the strike-everything amendment.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
· Clarifies Native American Day is not a paid state holiday.
Senate Action
GOV 2/14/18 DPA/SE 7-0-0
3rd Read 3/14/18 29-1-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 14, 2018
JO/MG/lat