Arizona State Legislature

General information
Type: |  State legislature
Term limits: |  4 terms (8 years)
Session start: |  January 13, 2025
Website: |  Official Legislature Page
Leadership
Senate President: |  Warren Petersen (R)
House Speaker: | Steve Montenegro (R)
Majority Leader: |  Senate: Janae Shamp (R)
House: Michael Carbone (R)
Minority Leader: |  Senate: Priya Sundareshan (D)
House: Oscar De Los Santos (D)
Structure
Members: | 30 (Senate), 60 (House)
Length of term: |  2 years (Senate), 2 years (House)
Authority: |  Art 4, Arizona Constitution
Salary: |  $24,000/year + per diem
Elections
Last election: | November 5, 2024
Next election: | November 3, 2026
Redistricting: | Arizona Redistricting Commission

## Contents

* 1 Senate
* 1.1 Before 1992
* 1.2 Leadership of the Senate
* 2 House of Representatives
* 2.1 Before 1992
* 3 Elections
* 3.1 2026
* 3.2 2024
* 3.3 2022
* 3.4 2020
* 3.5 2018
* 3.6 2016
* 3.7 2014
* 3.8 2012
* 3.9 2010
* 4 Sessions
* 4.1 2025
* 4.2 2024
* 4.3 2023
* 4.4 2022
* 4.5 2021
* 4.6 2020
* 4.6.1 Effect of coronavirus pandemic
* 4.7 2019
* 4.8 2018
* 4.9 2017
* 4.10 2016
* 4.11 2015
* 4.11.1 Major issues in 2015
* 4.12 2014
* 4.12.1 Major issues in 2014
* 4.13 2013
* 4.13.1 Major issues in 2013
* 4.14 2012
* 4.15 2011
* 4.15.1 Session highlights
* 4.16 2010
* 4.17 Role in state budget
* 5 Districts
* 6 Term limits
* 7 Legislators
* 7.1 Salaries
* 7.2 When sworn in
* 8 Redistricting
* 8.1 2020 census
* 9 District maps
* 9.1 State Senate
* 9.2 State House
* 10 Veto overrides
* 11 Powers and responsibilities
* 11.1 Constitutional amendments
* 12 History
* 12.1 Partisan balance 1992-2013
* 12.1.1 SQLI and partisanship
* 13 Joint Legislative Committees
* 14 Constitutional amendments
* 14.1 Initiative
* 14.2 Legislature
* 14.3 Convention
* 15 See also
* 16 External links
* 17 Footnotes

The Arizona Legislature is the state legislature of Arizona. It is a bicameral legislature that consists of a lower house, the Arizona House of Representatives, and an upper house, the Arizona State Senate. There are 60 Representatives and 30 Senators. The state legislature meets in the Capitol Complex in the state capital, Phoenix.

Arizona has a divided government where neither party holds a trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor, while the Republican Party controls both chambers of the state legislature.

See also: Arizona House of Representatives, Arizona State Senate, Arizona Governor

## Senate[edit]

The Arizona Senate consists of 30 members.

As of the 2020 Census, Arizona state senators represented an average of 238,631 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 213,757 residents.

Members serve two-year terms with term limits, limiting Senators to four terms (a total of eight years). Members of the Republican Party are currently in the majority in the Senate.

Members to the Senate are elected from the same legislative districts as members of the House of Representatives; however, one Senator represents the constituency, while for the House there are two Representatives per district. This districting system is similar to those in Idaho and Washington.

Like other upper houses of state and territorial legislatures and the federal U.S. Senate, the Senate can confirm or reject gubernatorial appointments to the state cabinet, commissions and boards.

Party  | As of April 2025

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| Democratic Party | 13
| Republican Party | 17
| Other  | 0
| Vacancies  | 0
Total |  30

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Republicans won control of the Arizona State Senate in 2002. In 2024, they won a 17-13 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Arizona Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Arizona State Senate election results: 1992-2024

Year  | '92  | '94  | '96  | '98  | '00  | '02  | '04  | '06  | '08  | '10  | '12  | '14  | '16  | '18  | '20  | '22  | '24

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Democrats | 12 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15* | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13
Republicans | 18 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 15* | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17
* The 15-15 split led to a power-sharing agreement between the parties.

### Before 1992[edit]

Arizona achieved statehood in 1912. From 1912 to 1966, Democrats controlled the state Senate after nearly every election. Starting in 1966, Republicans began winning narrow majorities in the chamber, with Democrats winning control in three elections: 1974, 1976, and 1990.

### Leadership of the Senate[edit]

Arizona, along with Oregon, Maine and Wyoming, is one of the four U.S. states to have abolished the office of the lieutenant governor, a position which for most upper houses of state legislatures and indeed for the U.S. Congress (with the vice president) is the head of the legislative body.

In the lieutenant governor's constitutional absence, the president of the senate presides over the body, appointing members to all of the Senate's committees and joint committees, and may create other committees and subcommittees if desired. In the senate president's absence, the president pro tempore presides.

## House of Representatives[edit]

The Arizona House of Representatives is the lower house of the Arizona State Legislature. Its members are elected to two-year terms with a term limit of four consecutive terms (eight years). Members of the Republican Party currently hold a majority in the House.

The House of Representatives is composed of 60 members representing 30 multi-member constituencies, with two members per district. This district setup is similar to both the Washington and Idaho districting systems.

As of the 2020 Census, Arizona state representatives represented an average of 119,315 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 106,878 residents.

Party  | As of April 2025

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| Democratic Party | 27
| Republican Party | 33
| Other  | 0
| Vacancies  | 0
Total |  60

Click here for a list of members of this chamber.

Republicans won control of the Arizona House of Representatives in 1966. In 2024, they won a 33-27 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Arizona House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Arizona House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022

Year  | '92  | '94  | '96  | '98  | '00  | '02  | '04  | '06  | '08  | '10  | '12  | '14  | '16  | '18  | '20  | '22  | '24

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Democrats | 25 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 24 | 21 | 22 | 27 | 25 | 20 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 27
Republicans | 35 | 38 | 38 | 40 | 36 | 39 | 38 | 33 | 35 | 40 | 36 | 38 | 35 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 33

### Before 1992[edit]

Arizona achieved statehood in 1912. From 1912 to 1966, Democrats controlled the chamber, often winning majorities that controlled more than 50 of the chamber's 60 seats. However, in 1966 the Democrats lost the majority and, as of 2022, had not won it back.

## Elections[edit]

### 2026[edit]

See also: Arizona State Senate elections, 2026 and Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2026

Elections for the Arizona State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

Elections for the Arizona House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

### 2024[edit]

See also: Arizona State Senate elections, 2024 and Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2024

Elections for the Arizona State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was July 30, 2024. The filing deadline was April 1, 2024.

Elections for the Arizona House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was July 30, 2024. The filing deadline was April 1, 2024.

### 2022[edit]

See also: Arizona State Senate elections, 2022 and Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2022

Elections for the Arizona State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 2, 2022. The filing deadline was April 4, 2022.

Elections for the Arizona House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 2, 2022. The filing deadline was April 4, 2022.

### 2020[edit]

See also: Arizona State Senate elections, 2020 and Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Arizona State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 4, 2020. The filing deadline was April 6, 2020.

Elections for the office of Arizona House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 4, 2020. The filing deadline was April 6, 2020.

### 2018[edit]

See also: Arizona State Senate elections, 2018 and Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2018

Elections for the Arizona State Senate took place in 2018. A hybrid primary election took place on August 28, 2018.[1] The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to appear on the primary ballot was May 30, 2018. The filing deadline for write-in primary candidates was July 19, 2018. The filing deadline for write-in general election candidates was September 27, 2018.[2]

Elections for the Arizona House of Representatives took place in 2018. A hybrid primary election took place on August 28, 2018.[3] The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to appear on the primary ballot was May 30, 2018. The filing deadline for write-in primary candidates was July 19, 2018. The filing deadline for write-in general election candidates was September 27, 2018.[4]

### 2016[edit]

See also: Arizona State Senate elections, 2016 and Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Arizona State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 30, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 1, 2016.

Elections for the Arizona House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 30, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 1, 2016.[5]

### 2014[edit]

See also: Arizona State Senate elections, 2014 and Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the Arizona State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 28, 2014.

Elections for the Arizona House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 28, 2014.

### 2012[edit]

See also: Arizona State Senate elections, 2012 and Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2012

Elections for the office of Arizona State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 28, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was May 30, 2012.

Elections for the office of Arizona House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 28, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was May 30, 2012.

### 2010[edit]

See also: Arizona State Senate elections, 2010 and Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2010

Elections for the office of Arizona State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 24, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 26, 2010.

Elections for the office of Arizona House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 24, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 26, 2010.

## Sessions[edit]

Article IV of the Arizona Constitution establishes when the Legislature is to be in session. Section 3 of the Second Part of the Article contains the relevant provisions. It states that sessions are to convene on the second Monday of January of each year.

Section 3 also allows the governor of Arizona to call special sessions of the Legislature.

### 2025[edit]

See also: 2025 Arizona legislative session and Dates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, 2025, and adjourn on April 26, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

### 2024[edit]

See also: 2024 Arizona legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions

In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2024, and adjourn on June 15, 2024.

### 2023[edit]

See also: 2023 Arizona legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions

In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2023, and adjourn on July 31, 2023.

### 2022[edit]

See also: 2022 Arizona legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions

In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2022, and adjourn on June 25, 2022.

### 2021[edit]

See also: 2021 Arizona legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions

In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2021, and adjourn on June 30, 2021.

### 2020[edit]

See also: 2020 Arizona legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions

In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 13, 2020, and adjourn on May 26, 2020.

#### Effect of coronavirus pandemic[edit]

See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic
Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.

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Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The Arizona State Legislature suspended its session, effective March 23, 2020, through May 19, 2020, at which time the House reconvened. The suspension had originally been scheduled to last through April 13, 2020. The legislature adjourned on May 26, 2020.[6][7][8][9]

### 2019[edit]

See also: 2019 Arizona legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions

In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 14, 2019, through May 28, 2019.

### 2018[edit]

See also: 2018 Arizona legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions

In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2018, through May 4, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here.

### 2017[edit]

See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions

In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2017, through May 10, 2017.

### 2016[edit]

See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions

In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 11 through May 7.

### 2015[edit]

See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions

In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 12 to April 2. The legislature convened a special session from October 28 to October 30, to settle a school funding inflation lawsuit. Legislators in the special session passed a $3.5 billion, 10-year deal for school funding.[10]

#### Major issues in 2015[edit]

Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included a $520 million budget deficit, settling a school funding inflation lawsuit and the state's college, and career ready standards.[11]

### 2014[edit]

See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions

In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 13 to April 24.

#### Major issues in 2014[edit]

Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included student success-based K-12 funding and university funding.[12]

The legislature considered and rejected several controversial proposals during the 2014 session.[13] These proposals included a bill that would have allowed religious leaders to decline officiating same-sex weddings and a bill that would have banned cell phone use by teenaged drivers during the first six months of driving with a license.[13]

### 2013[edit]

See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions

In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 14 to June 14.

#### Major issues in 2013[edit]

Losing super-majorities in the House and Senate, Republicans no longer wielded the same level of power and compromises were more likely. Gov. Jan Brewer (R) said her legislative priorities included education standards and simplifying the state's transaction privilege tax.[14]

### 2012[edit]

See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions

In 2012, the legislature was in regular session from January 10 through May 3.[15]

### 2011[edit]

See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions

In 2011, the legislature was in regular session from January 10 through April 20.[16] Three special sessions were called in Arizona for 2011. The first special session was convened on January 19, addressing requests for a federal Medicaid exemption. A second special session was called by Governor Jan Brewer (R) on February 14, 2011. The special session ran in tandem with the regular session, and was convened to consider business tax cuts as part of an economic development package proposed to add jobs by encouraging businesses to expand and relocate in Arizona.[17] The third special session was convened on June 10 to extend unemployment benefits. The session lasted two days, and ended on June 13 without a vote on Governor Brewer's proposal. Brewer refused to call another special session until lawmakers support the unemployment extension.[18]

#### Session highlights[edit]

In the 2011 session, Arizona fixed its $1.5 billion shortfall by eliminating $1.1 billion in spending. There were no new taxes instated to help with the reductions, only tax cuts. The legislature sliced the corporate income tax rate from 6.9 percent to 4.9 percent.[19]

### 2010[edit]

See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions

In 2010, the legislature was in regular session from January 11th to April 29th. The legislature was convened in special session from February 1 to February 11.

### Role in state budget[edit]

See also: Arizona state budget and finances
Arizona on

Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:
Budgets • Civil liberties • Education • Elections • Energy • Environment • Healthcare • Pensions

* * *

Arizona operates on an annual budget cycle, with each fiscal year beginning on July 1. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[20]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in July.
2. State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor by September 1.
3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature five days after the legislature convenes. The legislature convenes on the second Monday in January.
4. There is no official deadline for passing the budget. A simple majority is required to pass a budget.

Arizona is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[20][21]

The governor is required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature but the legislature is not required to pass a balanced budget.[20]

## Districts[edit]

There are 30 legislative districts in Arizona, each of which is a multi-member constituency. Each district elects a Senator and 2 Representatives for a two-year term. The crossing of upper and lower house districts into a single constituency is found in only seven U.S. state legislatures: Arizona, Idaho, Maryland, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Washington.

## Term limits[edit]

See also: State legislatures with term limits

Serving two-year terms, both Senators and Representatives are constricted by term limits. Members may only serve four consecutive terms (or eight years) in either chamber.[22]

Arizona's term limits were approved by the state's voters in 1992, when Proposition 107 was enacted with 74.2% of the vote.

## Legislators[edit]

### Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[23]

Salary| Per diem
$24,000/year| For legislators residing within Maricopa County: $35/day. For legislators residing outside of Maricopa County: $251.66.

### When sworn in[edit]

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Arizona legislators assume office on the first day of the session after they are elected. Each regular session begins on the second Monday in January.[24]

## Redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Arizona

The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission is responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district lines. The commission is composed of five members. Of these, four are selected by the majority and minority leaders of each chamber of the state legislature from a list of 25 candidates nominated by the state commission on appellate court appointments. These 25 nominees comprise 10 Democrats, 10 Republicans, and 5 unaffiliated citizens. The four commission members appointed by legislative leaders then select the fifth member to round out the commission. The fifth member of the commission must belong to a different political party than the other commissioners. The governor, with a two-thirds vote in the Arizona State Senate, may remove a commissioner "for substantial neglect of duty, gross misconduct in office, or inability to discharge the duties of office." The Arizona State Legislature may make recommendations to the commission, but ultimate authority is vested with the commission.[25][26][27]

The Arizona Constitution requires that both congressional and state legislative districts be "contiguous, geographically compact, and respect communities of interest–all to the extent practicable." The state constitution further mandates that district lines "should [follow] visible geographic features, city, town, and county boundaries, and undivided census tracts." In addition, the constitution requires that "competitive districts be favored where doing so would not significantly detract from the goals above."[27]

### 2020 census[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Arizona after the 2020 census

On January 24, 2022, Arizona enacted new legislative maps after the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission transmitted its finalized plans to the secretary of state.[28] The commission initially voted to finalize and certify the legislative map plan on Jan. 21.[29] The commission's nonpartisan chairwoman, Erika Neuberg, joined the two Republican members—David Mehl and Douglas York—voting in favor of the map. The commission's two Democratic members—Shereen Lerner and Derrick Watchman—were opposed.[30] This map took effect for Arizona's 2022 legislative elections.

The commission previously voted in favor of the legislative map by a 3-2 vote on December 22, 2021, which was followed by a period for counties to request administrative changes before the final vote on Jan. 21.[31]

## District maps[edit]

### State Senate[edit]

### State House[edit]

## Veto overrides[edit]

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Arizona are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.

Two-thirds of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 40 of the 60 members in the Arizona House of Representatives and 20 of the 30 members in the Arizona State Senate. Arizona is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

Are there other special rules?

If the governor vetoes an emergency measure, three-fourths of the members in both chambers are required to override the veto, which is 45 of the 60 state representatives and 23 of the 30 state senators.[32]

Authority: Article 5, Section 7 of the Arizona Constitution.

"Every bill passed by the legislature, before it becomes a law, shall be presented to the governor. If he approve, he shall sign it, and it shall become a law as provided in this constitution. But if he disapprove, he shall return it, with his objections, to the house in which it originated, which shall enter the objections at large on the journal. If after reconsideration it again passes both houses by an aye and nay vote on roll call of two-thirds of the members elected to each house, it shall become a law as provided in this constitution, notwithstanding the governor's objections. "

## Powers and responsibilities[edit]

### Constitutional amendments[edit]

Main article: Amending state constitutions

Article 21 of the Arizona Constitution, in addition to defining the people's right of initiative, also defines the role the state legislature can play in amending the state's constitution:

* Either chamber of the Arizona legislature is allowed to propose an amendment as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. A majority of members of both chambers must approve it; if they do, the proposed amendment goes on a statewide ballot for a popular vote of the people where if a simple majority approves it, it becomes part of the constitution.

* The Arizona secretary of state is required to publish a copy of the proposed amendment in a newspaper in each of Arizona's 15 counties for a period of at least 90 days before the election.
* Proposed amendments must be voted on separately.
* The state legislature is allowed to call a special election for the purposes of voting on proposed amendments. If no special election is called, amendments are voted on in the next statewide general election.

* A constitutional convention may be called by a statewide vote of the people. In the absence of such a vote, the state legislature is not allowed to call a convention. Any proposed changes to the constitution that are reported out of a constitutional convention must be submitted to a statewide popular vote where, if approved by a majority of those voting, become part of the constitution.

## History[edit]

### Partisan balance 1992-2013[edit]

See also: Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States and Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States, Arizona

Partisan breakdown of the Arizona legislature from 1992-2013

Arizona Senate: From 1992-2013, the Republican Party was the majority in the Arizona State Senate for 20 years while the Democrats were never the majority. The Arizona State Senate is one of 13 state senates that was Republican for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. The Arizona Senate spent the last 11 years under the control of the Republican Party. During the final five years of the study, Arizona was under Republican trifectas.

Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.

Arizona House of Representatives: Throughout every year from 1992-2013, the Republican Party was the majority in the Arizona State House of Representatives. The Arizona State House is one of nine state Houses that was Republican for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. During the final five years of the study, Arizona was under Republican trifectas.

Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of Arizona, the Arizona State Senate and the Arizona House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.

#### SQLI and partisanship[edit]

To read the full report on the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, click here.

The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Arizona state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Arizona had Republican trifectas between 1993 and 2001 and between 2009 and 2013, but no Democratic trifectas during the period of the study. Between these two trifectas, Arizona had divided government. In three separate years, Arizona ranked in the bottom-10 in the SQLI ranking, two of which occurred under Republican trifectas (1996 and 1997) and the other during divided government (2002). Arizona’s highest SQLI ranking occurred in 2006 (16th), under divided government, while its lowest ranking (41st) occurred in 2002 under divided government.

* SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: N/A
* SQLI average with Republican trifecta: 36.33
* SQLI average with divided government: 27.22

Chart displaying the partisanship of Arizona government from 1992-2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI).

## Joint Legislative Committees[edit]

Joint legislative committees in the Arizona State Legislature operate between legislative sessions. A list of those interim committees can be found on the Legislature website.

## Constitutional amendments[edit]

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Arizona Constitution can be amended:

See also: Article 21 of the Arizona Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Arizona

The Arizona Constitution provides for three methods of amending the Arizona Constitution—a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Arizona requires a simple majority to approve constitutional amendments. Arizona requires a 60% vote to pass ballot measures to approve taxes.

#### Initiative[edit]

See also: Initiated constitutional amendment

Article 21, citizens have the power to initiate constitutional amendments in Arizona. An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.

In Arizona, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment for the ballot is equal to 15 percent of votes cast for governor in the most recent gubernatorial election. Petitions can be circulated for up to 24 months. Signatures must be submitted four months prior to the election at which the measure is to appear. A simple majority is required for voter approval. Arizona requires a 60% vote to pass ballot measures to approve taxes.

#### Legislature[edit]

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

According to Article XVI, the state Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide. A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Arizona State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 31 votes in the Arizona House of Representatives and 16 votes in the Arizona State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

#### Convention[edit]

See also: Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According to Section 2 of Article XXI of the Arizona Constitution, the state legislature can only call for a convention if it is approved by the electorate in a statewide vote. Any amendments, revisions, or proposals of the Constitution require a simple majority vote by the electorate.

## See also[edit]

Elections | Arizona State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics

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* Arizona elections, 2024
* Arizona elections, 2022
* Arizona elections, 2020
* Arizona elections, 2018

* Arizona State Senate
* Arizona House of Representatives
* Governor of Arizona
* Arizona Supreme Court

* State legislative elections: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018

* State government trifectas
* State government triplexes
* State executives
* State courts
* Ballot measures
* The State Legislative Decade

## External links[edit]

* Official website of the Arizona legislature

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Arizona State Legislature, "Arizona Election Laws & Publications," accessed June 7, 2017
2. ↑ Arizona Secretary of State, "Running for Legislative Office," accessed October 13, 2017
3. ↑ Arizona State Legislature, "Arizona Election Laws & Publications," accessed June 7, 2017
4. ↑ Arizona Secretary of State, "Running for Legislative Office," accessed October 13, 2017
5. ↑ Arizona Secretary of State, "Elections Calendar & Upcoming Events," accessed January 11, 2016
6. ↑ Arizona Republic, "Questions hang over the budget, major bills as Arizona Legislature makes quick exit," March 24, 2020
7. ↑ KNAU, "Arizona Lawmakers Recess But Continue Receiving Per Diem Pay," April 13, 2020
8. ↑ AZ Central, "Arizona House of Representatives reconvenes, but Senate's absence raises a question: Will this matter?" May 19, 2020
9. ↑ MultiState, "2020 Legislative Session Dates," accessed May 26, 2020
10. ↑ Arizona State Legislature, "Statement from Senator Driggs on education funding plan," accessed October 30, 2015
11. ↑ AZ Ed News, "Arizona legislators on the budget, education funding and standards," December 1, 2014
12. ↑ news.azpm.org, "Education, CPS Issues Expected to Top 2014 Legislative Session," January 13, 2014
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 KSWT.com, "Arizona Legislature rejected controversial bills," April 28, 2014
14. ↑ Cronkite News, "Brewer, top legislators: Education, businesses priorities for session," January 11, 2013
15. ↑ ncsl.org, "Session schedules," accessed April 30, 2012
16. ↑ tucsonnewsnow.com, "Arizona Legislature ends session after an all-nighter," accessed April 21, 2015
17. ↑ tucsonnewsnow.com, "Arizona governor calls special session on economy," accessed April 21, 2015
18. ↑ Bloomberg Businessweek, "Ariz. Gov won't seek session without bill backing," June 15, 2011
19. ↑ Stateline.org, "States balance budgets with cuts, not taxes," June 15, 2011(Archived)
20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
21. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
22. ↑ Arizona Attorney General, "Legislative Term Limits," accessed February 8, 2021
23. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
24. ↑ Arizona Revised Statutes, "41-1101, Section B," accessed February 8, 2021
25. ↑ Supreme Court of the United States, "Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, et al. - Appellant's Jurisdictional Statement," accessed March 6, 2015
26. ↑ Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, "Home page," accessed March 6, 2015
27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 All About Redistricting, "Arizona," accessed April 17, 2015
28. ↑ Phone conversation with Valerie Neumann, AIRC executive assistant, Jan. 25, 2022]
29. ↑ Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, "Official Maps," accessed Jan. 21, 2022
30. ↑ Tucson Sentinel, "Arizona Redistricting Commission gives final certification to new election maps," Jan. 21, 2022
31. ↑ Arizona Mirror, "Republicans hold the edge as Arizona redistricting nears completion," Dec. 17, 2021
32. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "The Veto Process," accessed June 22, 2017

[show]

Current members of the Arizona House of Representatives

Leadership

Speaker of the House:Steve Montenegro

Majority Leader:Michael Carbone

Minority Leader:Oscar De Los Santos

Representatives

District 1

Selina Bliss (R)

Quang Nguyen (R)

District 2

Stephanie Simacek (D)

Justin Wilmeth (R)

District 3

Joseph Chaplik (R)

Alexander Kolodin (R)

District 4

Pamela Carter (R)

Matt Gress (R)

District 5

Sarah Liguori (D)

Aaron Marquez (D)

District 6

Mae Peshlakai (D)

Myron Tsosie (D)

District 7

Walter Blackman (R)

David Marshall (R)

District 8

Janeen Connolly (D)

Brian Garcia (D)

District 9

Lorena Austin (D)

Seth Blattman (D)

District 10

Ralph Heap (R)

Justin Olson (R)

District 11

Junelle Cavero (D)

Oscar De Los Santos (D)

District 12

Patricia Contreras (D)

Anastasia Travers (D)

District 13

Jeff Weninger (R)

Julie Willoughby (R)

District 14

Laurin Hendrix (R)

Khyl Powell (R)

District 15

Neal Carter (R)

Michael Way (R)

District 16

Chris Lopez (R)

Teresa Martinez (R)

District 17

Rachel Jones (R)

Kevin Volk (D)

District 18

Nancy Gutierrez (D)

Christopher Mathis (D)

District 19

Lupe Diaz (R)

Gail Griffin (R)

District 20

Alma Hernandez (D)

Betty Villegas (D)

District 21

Consuelo Hernandez (D)

Stephanie Stahl Hamilton (D)

District 22

Lupe Contreras (D)

Elda Luna-Nájera (D)

District 23

Michele Pena (R)

Mariana Sandoval (D)

District 24

Anna Abeytia (D)

Lydia Hernandez (D)

District 25

Michael Carbone (R)

Nick Kupper (R)

District 26

Cesar Aguilar (D)

Quantá Crews (D)

District 27

Lisa Fink (R)

Tony Rivero (R)

District 28

David Livingston (R)

Beverly Pingerelli (R)

District 29

Steve Montenegro (R)

James Taylor (R)

District 30

Leo Biasiucci (R)

John Gillette (R)

Republican Party (33)

Democratic Party (27)

[show]

Current members of the Arizona State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Warren Petersen

Majority Leader:Janae Shamp

Minority Leader:Priya Sundareshan

Senators

District 1

Mark Finchem (R)

District 2

Shawnna Bolick (R)

District 3

John Kavanagh (R)

District 4

Carine Werner (R)

District 5

Lela Alston (D)

District 6

Theresa Hatathlie (D)

District 7

Wendy Rogers (R)

District 8

Lauren Kuby (D)

District 9

Kiana Sears (D)

District 10

David Farnsworth (R)

District 11

Catherine Miranda (D)

District 12

Denise Epstein (D)

District 13

Javan Mesnard (R)

District 14

Warren Petersen (R)

District 15

Jake Hoffman (R)

District 16

Thomas Shope (R)

District 17

Vince Leach (R)

District 18

Priya Sundareshan (D)

District 19

David Gowan (R)

District 20

Sally Gonzales (D)

District 21

Rosanna Gabaldón (D)

District 22

Eva Diaz (D)

District 23

Brian Fernandez (D)

District 24

Analise Ortiz (D)

District 25

Tim Dunn (R)

District 26

Flavio Bravo (D)

District 27

Kevin Payne (R)

District 28

Frank Carroll (R)

District 29

Janae Shamp (R)

District 30

Hildy Angius (R)

Republican Party (17)

Democratic Party (13)

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