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REFERENCE TITLE: election procedures; review; commission |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-fifth Legislature Second Regular Session 2022
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HB 2376 |
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Introduced by Representative Bolick
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AN ACT
amending title 41, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding chapter 20; Amending title 41, chapter 27, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-3032.01; relating to the election laws and procedures.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 41, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding chapter 20, to read:
CHAPTER 20
ELECTION INTEGRITY COMMISSION
ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
41-2351. Election integrity commission; members
A. The election integrity commission is established consisting of the following members:
1. Two persons who are appointed by the governor.
2. Two persons who are appointed by the secretary of state.
3. One person who is appointed by the president of the senate.
4. One person who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
5. One person who is appointed by the minority leader of the senate.
6. One person who is appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives.
7. One election official who is appointed by the speaker of the house of REPRESENTATIVES and who is from a county with a population of more than two million persons.
8. One election official who is appointed by the president of the senate and who is from a county with a population of more than six hundred thousand persons but less than two million persons.
9. Two election officials who are recommended by an association representing county election officials, who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and who are from other counties in this state.
10. One election official who is recommended by an association representing county election officials, who is appointed by the president of the senate and who is FROM OTHER COUNTIES in THIS STATE.
B. The commission shall annually elect a chairperson and vice chairperson.
C. Beginning in 2023, members shall be appointed every four years and serve until they have submitted the report prescribed by section 41-2352. If a vacancy exists, the vacancy shall be filled as prescribed in subsection A of this section.
d. MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION are not eligible to receive compensation but are eligible for reimbursement of expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2. THE department of administration, personnel division shall provide the commission with such staff as is necessary to perform its functions and shall provide recordkeeping facilities and other facilities as needed.
41-2352. Duties and recommendations
A. Beginning in 2023, the election integrity commission shall biennially conduct a review of current election laws and procedures for the purpose of ensuring statewide election integrity by:
1. Adhering to the constitutional principles of checks and balances and separation of powers inherent in the constitutions of United states and the Arizona Constitution, including the differentiation between state powers and the powers of various county officials.
2. Clarifying inconsistencies in existing laws.
3. Clarifying laws and procedures to ensure uniformity between all counties.
4. Clarifying laws and procedures that do not conform to federal law to bring this state into compliance.
5. Providing finality to elections.
6. Providing the maximum amount of transparency of election processes.
B. The commission may hold public hearings to aid it in its work.
C. On or before December 1 of each odd-numbered year the commission shall submit to the Governor, the Secretary of State, the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives and make public a report of its findings and recommendations.
Sec. 2. Title 41, chapter 27, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-3032.01, to read:
41-3032.01. Election integrity commission; termination July 1, 2032
A. The election integrity commission terminates on July 1, 2032.
B. Title 41, chapter 20 and this section are repealed on January 1, 2023.
Sec. 3. Purpose
Pursuant to section 41-2955, subsection E, Arizona Revised Statutes, the legislature establishes the election integrity commission to review and make recommendations regarding current election laws and procedures in this state.
Sec. 4. Initial terms of members of the election integrity commission
A. Notwithstanding section 41-2351, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act, the initial terms of members of the election integrity commission are:
1. Four terms ending January 1, 2024.
2. Four terms ending January 1, 2025.
3. Five terms ending January 1, 2026.
B. The appropriate official shall make all subsequent appointments as prescribed by statute.