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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
Maricopa County; division; new counties
Purpose
Effective January 1, 2025, prescribes new boundaries to Maricopa County by moving portions of the county into the boundaries of Gila County, La Paz County, Pinal County, Yavapai County and Yuma County.
Background
Arizona consists of 15 counties and statute prescribes the boundaries that encapsulate each county. Counties may be formed or divided by a legislative enactment, statewide initiative or county initiative (A.R.S. Title 11, Chapter 1).
According to the 2020 U.S. decennial census, the population of Maricopa County is estimated to be 4,420,568 persons, the population of Pinal County is estimated to be 425,257 persons, the population of Gila County is estimated to be 53,273 persons, the population of Yavapai County is estimated to be 236,218 persons, the population of La Paz County is estimated to be 16,555 persons and the population of Yuma County is estimated to be 203,880 persons (U.S. Census Bureau).
If the new county boundaries affect state assistance not currently received by Maricopa County, SB 1292 would potentially generate a cost to the state General Fund.
Provisions
1. Prescribes new boundaries of Maricopa County by moving portions of the county into the boundaries of Gila County, La Paz County, Pinal County, Yavapai County and Yuma County.
2. Requires the Legislative Council staff to prepare proposed legislation conforming the Arizona Revised Statutes to the new county boundaries for consideration in the Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session.
3. Becomes effective on the January 1, 2025.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
1. Eliminates the formation of three new counties with the establishment of Hohokam, Mogollon and O'odham counties.
2. Eliminates the county transition requirements relating to the formation of Hohokam, Mogollon and O'odham counties.
3. Modifies the boundaries of Maricopa County by moving portions of the county into the boundaries Gila County, La Paz County, Pinal County, Yavapai County and Yuma County.
4. Makes conforming changes.
Senate Action
GOV 2/14/24 DPA 4-2-2
Prepared by Senate Research
February 16, 2024
JT/slp