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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
charter cities; population threshold
Purpose
Subject to voter approval, constitutionally replaces the population threshold for a city that may form as a charter city to a population of fewer than 500,000 persons.
Background
A city with a population of 3,500 persons or more may frame a charter for its own government that is consistent with Arizona laws and the Arizona Constitution. A board composed of 14 qualified electors of a city may be elected by the qualified electors of a city. Within 90 days following the election, the board must prepare and propose a charter for a city. A proposed charter must be signed in duplicate by a majority of the members and filed with the chief executive officer of the city and the county recorder. A charter must be published and circulated in at least one newspaper in the city within 21 days of the proposal of the charter. Between 20 days and 30 days after the publication, the proposed charter must be submitted to the qualified electors of the city and subject to a vote. If the majority of the qualified electors vote to ratify the proposed charter, the charter must be submitted to the Governor for approval. On approval of the Governor, a charter becomes the law of a city and supersedes any existing charter and ordinances that are inconsistent with the charter. A copy of the charter for a city must be filed with the office of the Secretary of State and in the archives of the city. A ratified charter may be amended by amendments proposed and submitted by the legislative authority of a city to the qualified electors of a city at a general or special election. A proposed amendment to a charter may be ratified by a majority of the qualified electors and approved by the Governor (Ariz. Const. art. 13 § 2).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Modifies the population threshold of a city that may form as a charter city from more than 3,500 persons to fewer than 500,000 persons.
2. Makes technical changes.
3. Requires the Secretary of State to submit the proposition to the voters at the next general election.
4. Becomes effective if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 12, 2024
AN/cs