Arizona State Legislature

Pre-statehood Congress formed the New Mexico Territory in 1850, consisting of the land that is now Arizona north of the Gila River, along with what is now New Mexico, parts of Colorado and Nevada. In 1853, the territory expanded under the Gadsden Purchase agreement by nearly 30,000 square miles of land south of the Gila River in Arizona, forming the state’s boundary with Mexico. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Arizona Organic Act creating the Territory of Arizona. In 1864, the First Territorial Legislature convened in Prescott, the territory’s first capital. The capital moved from Prescott to Tucson and back to Prescott before being permanently established in Phoenix in 1889. Early years of statehood On June 20, 1910, President William Howard Taft signed the Enabling Act, allowing the Arizona Territory to hold a constitutional convention. Elected Arizona delegates convened in Phoenix at the territorial capitol on October 10, 1910, to draft the Arizona Constitution. Although constitutional provisions for prohibition and women’s suffrage were rejected, voters added both within three years of statehood. The new constitution was ratified by voters on February 9, 1911, and Arizona statehood took place on February 14, 1912, after eliminating a provision to recall judges that caused an initial veto by President Taft. A few months later, voters reinstated the provision permitting the recall of judges. Arizona's first legislature had 19 state senators and 35 state representatives and convened March 18, 1912. The legislature met on a biennial basis until 1950, when a constitutional amendment provided for annual sessions. ==Legislative process==

The Arizona Legislature is responsible for making laws in the state of Arizona. The first step in the legislative process is bill drafting. First, legislators must submit a bill request to the legislative council staff. Additionally, a legislator-elect may submit a bill request or private citizens can obtain authorization from a legislator to use the legislator's name before giving instructions to the legislative council staff. If the measure is approved by the people, the Governor has no power to veto it, and the legislature may not repeal it, and may not amend it unless the amending legislation furthers the purposes of such measure and at least three-fourths of the members of each house of the legislature, by a roll call of ayes and nays, vote to amend such measure. == Leadership ==

The President of the Senate, chosen from Senate membership, chairs the body of the Arizona Senate. Duties include, but are not limited to: calling legislative sessions to order, controlling the Senate Chamber, appointing all standing committees, maintaining order and decorum, signing all acts, writs, subpoenas, resolutions, and more. Arizona Senate leadership: • President of the Senate: Warren Petersen (R) • Majority Leader: Janae Shamp(R) • Majority Whip: Frank Carroll (R) • President Pro Tempore: Thomas "T.J." Shope (R) • Minority Leader: Priya Sundareshan (D) • Assistant Minority Leader: Catherine Miranda (D) • Minority Whip: Rosanna Gabaldón (D) • Minority Caucus Chair: Lela Alston (D) The body of the Arizona House of Representatives is led by the Speaker, who the members of the House elect from their membership. The Speaker is responsible for calling members to order, maintaining order and decorum, appointing the Speaker Pro Tempore, signing writs, warrants, subpoenas, resolutions, and more. Arizona House of Representatives leadership: • Speaker of the House: Steve Montenegro (R) • Majority Leader: Michael Carbone (R) • Majority Whip: Julie Willoughby (R) • Speaker Pro Tempore: Neal Carter (R) • Minority Leader: Oscar De Los Santos (D) • Assistant Minority Leader: Nancy Gutierrez (D) • Minority Whip: Quantá Crews (D) • Minority Whip: Stacey Travers (D) ==Membership==

Districting There are 30 legislative districts in Arizona, each of which is a multi-member constituency. Each district elects a state senator and two state representatives for a two-year term. The combining of upper and lower house districts into a single constituency is known as nesting and is found in only seven U.S. state legislatures: Arizona, Idaho, Maryland, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Washington. Qualifications Candidates for the Arizona House or Senate must be at least 25 years of age, a resident of the district in which they are running for a minimum of one year, a U.S. citizen, and an Arizona resident for at least three years. Additionally, it is required to file several documents to qualify on the ballot, including a Statement of Interest, Nomination Paper, Financial Disclosure Statement, and Nomination Petitions. As of January 2, 2024, candidates seeking office without a designated political party affiliation must get a minimum of one half of 1% of all qualified Arizona voters' signatures, while those with no party affiliation must collect the signatures of at least 3% of registered voters who also have no party affiliation. Compensation The annual base salary for all members of the Arizona State Legislature is $24,000. They have not received a raise since 1998. Members receive additional compensation for business expenses related to traveling and staying in the Arizona state capital of Phoenix located in Maricopa County. Lawmakers living in Maricopa County receive $35 per day in subsistence and mileage payments for their first 120 days in office, dropping to $10 per day subsequently. On the other hand, lawmakers living outside of Maricopa County receive a $238 per diem for their first 120 days, which is then cut in half to $119 per day. Term limits On November 3, 1992, Arizona voters overwhelmingly approved Arizona Proposition 107, which subject U.S. senators and representatives, state executive officials, and state legislators to term limits. Members may only serve four consecutive terms (or eight years) in each house; however, once serving the limit, former members are re-eligible for election after a 2-year respite. ==See also==