ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

Senate: GOV DP 7-0-0-0 | 3rd Read 26-0-4-0

SB 1408: ombudsman-citizens aide; continuation; reports; assistants

Sponsor:  Senator Farnsworth D, LD 16

Committee on Government

Overview

Continues the Office of the Ombudsman-Citizens Aide for 8 years.  

History

Statute establishes the Office of the Ombudsman-Citizens Aide (Office), the Ombudsman-Citizens Aide serves five-year terms and is not allowed to serve more than three full terms. The powers and duties of the Ombudsmen-Citizens Aide include:

1)    Investigating the administrative acts of state agencies as prescribed by statute;

2)    Preparing a written report to the Governor, Legislature and public which contains a summary of the activities of the Ombudsman-Citizens Aide who will present the report semiannually before the Legislative Council;

3)    Designating a deputy Ombudsman and defining the duties of employees, who serve at the pleasure of the Ombudsman-Citizens Aide; and

4)    Appointing two assistants, one being an attorney to assist the Ombudsman-Citizens Aide in investigating complaints related to public access laws involving an agency and complaints and compliance with reporting requirements specified in statute (A.R.S. §§  41-1375, 41-1376, 41-1376.01).

Provisions

1.    ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteRequires the Ombudsman-Citizens Aide to present its report summarizing the Office's activities during the previous fiscal year annually instead of semiannually. (Sec. 1)

2.    Stipulates that the Ombudsman-Citizens Aide must appoint one assistant, rather than two, who is an attorney to help investigate complaints. (Sec. 2)

3.    Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2020, the Office until July 1, 2028. (Sec. 4, 6)

4.    Repeals the Office on January 1, 2029. (Sec. 4)

5.    Contains a legislative intent clause. (Sec. 5)

6.    Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 2)

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10.                    SB 1408

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