The proposed bill amends existing Arizona statutes to clarify and expand the regulations surrounding the use of public resources by cities, towns, counties, and school districts in relation to influencing election outcomes. Key changes include the introduction of specific prohibitions against using public resources for promotional expenditures after an election is called, while allowing for routine communications. Additionally, the bill allows for the use of public resources for government-sponsored forums or debates, provided they remain impartial and informational. It also specifies that civil penalties for violations can exceed $5,000 and outlines the distribution of these penalties based on who initiates the legal action (attorney general, county attorney, or residents).

Furthermore, the bill broadens the scope of individuals who can initiate legal action for violations by including residents of the jurisdiction where the alleged violation occurred. It also clarifies the definitions of "misused monies" and "routine communications," ensuring that these terms are consistent across all public entities. The bill emphasizes that penalties collected from violations must be returned to the respective city, county, or school district whose resources were misused, and it prohibits the use of public funds to pay for these penalties.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-500.14, 11-410, 15-511, 16-192, 35-454, 15-481, 15-491, 15-342