House Engrossed

government assistance; point of contact

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

2021

CHAPTER 224

HOUSE BILL 2696

AN ACT

amending Title 9, chapter 4, article 8, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 9-495; amending section 41-1006, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to government communications.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 9, chapter 4, article 8, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 9-495, to read:

START_STATUTE9-495. Employees providing assistance; identification; communication

A. In any written communication between a city or town and a person, the city or town shall provide the name, telephone number and email address of the employee who is authorized and able to provide information about the communication if the communication does any of the following:

1. Demands payment of a tax, fee, penalty, fine or assessment.

2. Denies an application for a permit or license that is issued by the city or town.

3. requests corrections, revisions or additional information or materials needed for approval of any application for a permit, license or other authorization that is issued by the city or town.

B. AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS AUTHORIZED AND ABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT ANY COMMUNICATION THAT IS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION A OF THIS SECTION SHALL REPLY WITHIN five BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE city or town RECEIVES THAT COMMUNICATION. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Section 41-1006, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE41-1006. Employees providing agency assistance; identification and publication

A. Each state agency shall publish annually in the register, in the state directory and in a telephone directory for Maricopa county the name or names of those employees who are designated by the agency to assist members of the public or regulated community in seeking information or assistance from the agency.

B. In any written communication between a state agency and a person, the state agency shall provide the name, telephone number and email address of the employee who is authorized and able to provide information about the communication if the communication does any of the following:

1. Demands payment of a tax, fee, penalty, fine or assessment.

2. Denies an application for a permit or license that is issued by the state agency.

3. Requests corrections, revisions or additional information or materials needed for approval of any application for a permit, license or other authorization that is issued by the state agency.

C. AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS AUTHORIZED AND ABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT ANY COMMUNICATION THAT IS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION B OF THIS SECTION SHALL REPLY WITHIN five BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE state agency RECEIVES THAT COMMUNICATION. END_STATUTE

APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR APRIL 14, 2021.

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE APRIL 14, 2021.