ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

HB2536: corporation commissioners; qualifications

Sponsor: Representative Griffin, LD 14

Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Overview

Establishes additional requirements to serve on the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) starting in 2025.

History

The ACC was established to ensure safe, reliable and affordable utility services in Arizona. It also facilitates the incorporation of businesses and organizations and regulates securities, railroads and pipelines (Constitution of Arizona, Article XV, §§ 2, 3, 10).

The ACC is composed of five commissioners elected by the public who cannot serve more than two consecutive four-year terms (Constitution of Arizona, Article XV, § 1). To serve on the ACC, a candidate must be registered to vote before the election and be both a citizen and resident of Arizona (A.R.S. §§ 16-121, 16-152).

A candidate cannot become a commissioner if the candidate:

1) Is employed by or hold an official relation to a corporation or person subject to the ACC's regulation;

2) Owns stocks or bonds of a corporation regulated by the ACC; or

3) Has a financial interest in a regulated corporation.

If a commissioner engages in any of these prohibited actions, the commissioner must either cease involvement or resign from office (A.R.S. § 40-101).

Provisions

1. Requires, starting in 2025, that any candidate running for commissioner:

a) Be a resident of Arizona for at least two years, at least 30 years of age and have at least five years of experience in one or more of the following areas:

i. Accounting;

ii. Business administration;

iii. Finance or economics;

iv. Administrative law; or

v. Professional engineering; and

b) Sign an affidavit with the nominating papers indicating the candidate meets all prescribed qualifications. (Sec. 1)

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f) HB 2536

g) Initials PAB/KM Page 0 Natural Resources, Energy & Water

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