Note from AriSEIA Executive Director, Nicole LaSlavic

I wanted to provide a quick update on the legislative session. On May 26, 2020 the Fifty-fourth Legislature – Second Regular Session adjourned Sine Die at 11:21 am. The total days of session were 135 days, 1,607 bills were introduced, 90 were passed by the legislature, as to date zero bills have been vetoed and 58 bills have been signed by Governor Doug Ducey.
 
By way of background, the legislature adjourned on March 23, 2020, as a result of increased concerns related to COVID-19. The initial adjournment was to run until April 15, 2020, but with the governors Stay Home – Stay Safe Executive Order, the adjournment was extended until April 30, 2020. 

In late April, leadership in both the House and Senate determined that they would reconvene and then promptly adjourn the session with the intentions of returning at a later date under a Special Session to conduct COVID-19 related legislation and other legislation deemed necessary. This, however, did not sit well with the House majority members and not once, but twice deterred the plans for both chambers to adjourn Sine Die. 
 
Subsequently, the Senate moved forward with Sine Die adjournment on May 8, 2020, the motion was transmitted to the House where it languished. On May 21, 2020, the House reconvened, passed 31 Senate bills and adjourned Sine Die. Procedurally, the 31 Senate bills were then sent back to the Senate (house of origin) for the Senate to transmit the bills to the Governor. 
 
Keeping in mind that the Senate had already passed a motion to Sine Die (ending session for the year and signifying all legislative action is completed by the body), they issued a Third Read calendar this week to pass House bills that were in the process before March 23, 2020. Yesterday, upon Senate Floor Session beginning, Senator Rebecca Rios – D motioned to Sine Die. This motion was seconded and the vote resulted in three Republicans supporting the motion to Sine Die, Senator Kate Brophy-McGee, Senator Heather Carter, and Senator Paul Boyer. With this vote, session officially ended. 
 
The governor now has 10-days not including Sundays to sign, veto or allow legislation to go into law without his signature. The general effective date of legislation (unless a specific effective date is included in the bill) is 90-days post adjournment, which is August 25, 2020. 
 
Lastly, the ending of session now signifies a power shift in which the governor not only has the power to call a Special Session, but decides exactly what the House and Senate may consider. The governor has already stated that there will be Special Sessions in our future. As such, I will keep the Board and membership abreast of those calls. 
 
As always, if there are any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask. 
 
At your service, 
 
Nicole LaSlavic
AriSEIA Executive Director