This bill proposes to amend current statutes regarding the referendum power of city and town councils in Arizona. Under the current law, a referendum petition can be filed against certain council decisions, but emergency measures are exempt from this process. The bill introduces new provisions that would require emergency measures adopted by city or town councils to be subject to a referendum in the same manner as nonemergency measures. Specifically, it mandates that a referendum petition for an emergency measure must be filed within thirty days of its passage, and if the measure does not receive a majority vote, it will no longer be in effect.

Additionally, the bill makes technical changes to clarify the language regarding the filing of referendum petitions and the operational status of ordinances. The current thirty-day period for filing a referendum petition against a rezoning ordinance is maintained, but the bill explicitly states that this period begins when the ordinance or approved minutes are available from the city or town clerk. Overall, the bill aims to enhance public oversight of emergency measures by ensuring they can be challenged through a referendum process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-500.54, 11-269.31
Senate Engrossed Version: 19-142