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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, First Regular Session
study committee on county boundaries
Purpose
Establishes the Joint Study Committee on County Boundaries (Study Committee) to research and report on the fiscal and related impacts of a change in the boundary between Cochise County and Santa Cruz County.
Background
Statute outlines the boundaries and county seat for each of Arizona's 15 counties. Cochise County and Santa Cruz County are located in the southeast corner of the state and share a common boundary (A.R.S. Title 11, Chapter 1, Article 1). Counties may be formed or divided by legislative enactment, statewide initiative or county initiative (A.R.S. § 11-132).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Establishes the 13-member Study Committee which includes:
a) 3 members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Speaker);
b) 3 members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate (President);
c) 3 public members, appointed by the Speaker, and 3 public members, appointed by the President, who are knowledgeable about county boundaries and fiscal and other problems that exist or may exist as a result of county boundary changes; and
d) 1 member appointed by the Governor.
2. Prohibits more than 2 of the 3 Study Committee members from the House of Representatives or Senate from being of the same political party.
3. Requires the Study Committee to research and report on the fiscal and related impacts of a change in the county boundary line between Cochise County and Santa Cruz County.
4. Specifies that a majority of Study Committee members constitutes a quorum.
5. Requires the Study Committee to elect a chairperson of the Study Committee and meet at any place deemed necessary or convenient by the chairperson.
6. Allows the Study Committee to use the services of legislative staff to provide necessary administrative and operational services.
7. Requires state agencies and political subdivisions, on request of the Study Committee, to provide services, equipment, documents, personnel and facilities to the Study Committee to the extent possible without cost to the Study Committee.
8. Requires the Study Committee to submit a report of findings and recommendations to the Governor, President and Speaker by June 30, 2020, and provide a copy of the report to the Secretary of State.
9. Repeals the Study Committee on January 1, 2021.
10. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
GOV 2/14/19 DP 6-3-2-0
3rd Read 3/11/19 29-31-0
3rd Read* 3/11/19 31-29-0
*on reconsideration
Prepared by Senate Research
March 21, 2019
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