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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
appointment; ombudsman-citizens aide
Purpose
An emergency measure that appoints Joanne MacDonnell as the Ombudsman-Citizens Aide.
Background
The Office of the Ombudsman-Citizens Aide was established in 1995 to investigate the administrative acts of state agencies and annually report to the Governor, Legislature and public on its activities (A.R.S. § 41-1376). The Ombudsman-Citizens Aide must be an Arizona resident for at least six months, be 25 years old and have investigatory experience. A person may not serve as Ombudsman-Citizens Aide within one year of the last day the person served as an elected state officer (A.R.S. § 41-1374).
When a vacancy occurs
in the office of Ombudsman-Citizens Aide, a nine-member Ombudsman Citizens Aide
Selection Committee (Committee) must be established consisting of members
appointed by the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives
and Governor. The Committee must receive applications and nominate a candidate
to the position of Ombudsman-Citizens Aide by a two-thirds vote. Following the
nomination by the Committee, the appointment of the Ombudsman-Citizens Aide is
made by the passage of a bill by at least
two-thirds of the members of each legislative chamber (A.R.S.
§ 41-1373). The Committee met on May 26, 2022, and recommended Joanne
MacDonnell be appointed to the position of Ombudsman-Citizens Aide.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Appoints Joanne MacDonnell as the Ombudsman-Citizens Aide for a term ending June 30, 2027.
2. Specifies that the appointment requires approval by at least two-thirds of the members of each legislative chamber and approval of the Governor or at least three-fourths approval of each legislative chamber upon veto by the Governor.
3. Becomes effective on signature of the Governor, if the emergency clause is enacted.
Prepared by Senate Research
June 1, 2022
MH/sr