ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fifth Legislature First Regular Session
	Senate: FIN 5-4-1-0 | 3rd Read 16-14-0-0 House: WM DP 6-4-0-0

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SCR1024: initiatives; tax increases; vote requirement

Sponsor:  Senator Petersen, LD 12

Caucus & COW

Overview

Mandates that certain initiatives, referendums or proposed constitutional amendments that are submitted to voters are effective only on the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the voters if the measure increases state or local revenue.

History

The Arizona Constitution grants the people of Arizona the power to: 1) propose laws and amendments to the Constitution; 2) enact or reject laws and amendments at the polls, independent of the Legislature; and 3) approve or reject any item, section or part of any act of the Legislature at the polls.

The initiative power allows 10 percent of the qualified electors to propose any measure and 15 percent of qualified electors to propose any amendment to the Arizona Constitution. Additionally, the referendum power allows 5 percent of qualified electors to refer any measure, item, section or part of a measure enacted by the Legislature to the ballot — except those immediately necessary for the preservation or the public peace, health or safety or for the support and maintenance the state government and state institutions. (Ariz. Const. art. 4, pt. 1, § 1)

Provisions

1. Mandates that any initiative, referendum or proposed constitutional amendment that is submitted to voters is effective only on the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the voters if the measure provides for:

a) A new tax;

b) Increasing an existing tax rate or rates;

c) Reducing or eliminating an existing tax deduction, exemption, exclusion, credit or other tax reduction feature;

d) Authorizing or requiring the establishment of a special taxing district or other entity with the power to levy taxes or collect tax revenues; or

e) Any change to tax laws if the net result is an increase in tax revenues to either state or local government. (Sec. 1)

2. Specifies that this applies to a measure for the state or of a county, city, town, community college district, school district or special taxing district. (Sec. 1)

3. Requires the Secretary of State to submit the proposition to the voters at the next general election.  (Sec. 1)

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                        SCR 1024

Initials VP/NM Page 0 Caucus & COW

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