2021 Arizona legislative session

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2021 Arizona legislative session
General information
Session start:  January 11, 2021

Session end:  June 30, 2021

Leadership
Senate President
Karen Fann (R)

House Speaker
Russell Bowers (R)
Majority Leader
Senate: Rick Gray (R)
House: Ben Toma (R)
Minority Leader
Senate: Rebecca Rios (D)
House: Reginald Bolding (D)

Elections
Next Election:  November 8, 2022

Last Election:  November 3, 2020

Previous legislative sessions
2020 • 2019 • 2018
Other 2021 legislative sessions

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

The legislators serving in this session took office following the 2020 elections. Republicans won a 16-14 majority in the Senate and a 31-29 majority in the House. The party also controlled the governorship, creating a Republican state government trifecta. At the start of the 2021 session, Arizona was one of 28 state legislatures where neither party had a veto-proof supermajority in both chambers.

Redistricting is the process by which states draw new Congressional and state legislative districts following the U.S. Census. Officials sent data from the 2020 U.S. Census to states in early 2021 to begin the process of redistricting. As of the 2020 census, Arizona was one of four states where an independent commission was responsible for redistricting.

At the beginning of the 2021 legislative session:

* Republicans held a majority in the Arizona state House and state Senate.

* Arizona was one of 22 Republican state government trifectas.

* Arizona's governor was Republican Doug Ducey.

## Contents

* 1 Leadership in 2021
* 1.1 Arizona State Senate
* 1.2 Arizona House of Representatives
* 2 Partisan control in 2021
* 2.1 Arizona State Senate
* 2.2 Arizona House of Representatives
* 3 Regular session
* 4 Redistricting
* 5 Standing legislative committees
* 5.1 Joint legislative committees
* 5.2 Senate committees
* 5.3 House committees
* 6 Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
* 6.1 Initiative
* 6.2 Legislature
* 6.3 Convention
* 7 Historical partisan control
* 7.1 Historical Senate control
* 7.2 Historical House control
* 8 See also
* 9 External links
* 10 Footnotes

## Leadership in 2021[edit]

### Arizona State Senate[edit]

* Senate president: Karen Fann (R)
* Majority leader: Rick Gray (R)
* Minority leader: Rebecca Rios (D)

### Arizona House of Representatives[edit]

* Speaker of the House: Russell Bowers (R)
* Majority leader: Ben Toma (R)
* Minority leader: Reginald Bolding (D)

## Partisan control in 2021[edit]

See also: State government trifectas

Arizona was one of 22 Republican state government trifectas at the start of 2021 legislative sessions. A state government trifecta occurs when one political party holds the governor's office, a majority in the state Senate, and a majority in the state House. For more information about state government trifectas, click here.

Arizona was also one of 28 state legislatures where neither party had a veto-proof supermajority in both chambers. Veto overrides occur when a legislature votes to reverse a veto issued by an executive such as a governor or the president. If one party has a majority in a state legislature that is large enough to override a gubernatorial veto without any votes from members of the minority party, it is called a veto-proof majority or, sometimes, a supermajority. To read more about veto-proof supermajorities in state legislatures, click here.

The following tables show the partisan breakdown of the Arizona State Legislature in the 2021 legislative session.

### Arizona State Senate[edit]

Party  | As of January 2021

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| Democratic Party | 14
| Republican Party | 16
Total |  30

### Arizona House of Representatives[edit]

Party  | As of January 2021

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| Democratic Party | 29
| Republican Party | 31
Total |  60

## Regular session[edit]

The following widget shows up to 25 pieces of legislation in the 2021 legislative session that most recently passed both chambers of the legislature, were signed by the governor, or were approved by the legislature in a veto override. If no bills are displayed below, no legislation met these criteria in 2021. This information is provided by BillTrack50.

## Redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Arizona after the 2020 census

Redistricting is the process of enacting new district boundaries for elected offices, particularly for offices in the U.S. House of Representatives and state legislatures.

To learn more about the redistricting process in Arizona after the 2020 census, click here.

## Standing legislative committees[edit]

See also: Standing committee and List of committees in Arizona state government

A standing committee of a state legislature is a committee that exists on a more-or-less permanent basis, from legislative session to session, that considers and refines legislative bills that fall under the committee's subject matter.

At the beginning of the 2021 legislative session, there were 48 standing committees in Arizona's state government, including 16 joint legislative committees, 15 state Senate committees, and 17 state House committees.

### Joint legislative committees[edit]

* Adjudication Monitoring Committee, Arizona Legislature
* Adoption Promotion Committee, Arizona Legislature
* Audit Committee, Arizona Legislature
* Border Security Advisory Committee, Arizona State Legislature
* Budget Committee, Arizona Legislature
* Capital Review Committee, Arizona Legislature
* DES Block Grants Committee, Arizona Legislature
* Federal Mandates Committee, Arizona Legislature
* Global Position System Monitoring Study Committee, Arizona Legislature
* Healthy Forest Task Force Committee, Arizona Legislature
* Homeland Security Committee, Arizona Legislature
* Income Tax Credit Review Committee, Arizona Legislature
* K-12 School District Receivership Study Committee, Arizona Legislature
* K-12 School Funding and Best Practices Study Committee, Arizona Legislature
* Oversight Committee on Residual Contamination of Drug Properties Committee, Arizona Legislature
* Review Committee on Transportation between Sonora, Mexico and Arizona, Arizona State Legislature

### Senate committees[edit]

* Appropriations Committee, Arizona State Senate
* Banking and Insurance Committee, Arizona State Senate
* Border Security, Federalism and States Sovereignty Committee, Arizona State Senate
* Commerce and Energy Committee, Arizona State Senate
* Economic Development and Jobs Creation Committee, Arizona State Senate
* Education Committee, Arizona State Senate
* Finance Committee, Arizona State Senate
* Government Reform Committee, Arizona State Senate
* Healthcare and Medical Liability Reform Committee, Arizona State Senate
* Judiciary Committee, Arizona State Senate
* Natural Resources and Transportation Committee, Arizona State Senate
* Public Safety and Human Services Committee, Arizona State Senate
* Rules Committee, Arizona State Senate
* Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, Arizona State Senate
* Water, Land Use and Rural Development Committee, Arizona State Senate

### House committees[edit]

* Appropriations Committee, Arizona House of Representatives
* Agriculture and Water Committee, Arizona House of Representatives
* Banking and Insurance Committee, Arizona House of Representatives
* Commerce Committee, Arizona House of Representatives
* Education Committee, Arizona House of Representatives
* Employment and Regulatory Affairs Committee, Arizona House of Representatives
* Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Arizona House of Representatives
* Environment Committee, Arizona House of Representatives
* Government Committee, Arizona House of Representatives
* Health and Human Services Committee, Arizona House of Representatives
* Higher Education, Innovation and Reform Committee, Arizona House of Representatives
* Judiciary Committee, Arizona House of Representatives
* Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee, Arizona House of Representatives
* Rules Committee, Arizona House of Representatives
* Technology and Infrastructure Committee, Arizona House of Representatives
* Transportation Committee, Arizona House of Representatives
* Ways and Means Committee, Arizona House of Representatives

## Legislatively referred 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 by 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.

Historical context: A total of 168 measures appeared on statewide ballots in Arizona from 1985 to 2020.

* From 1985 to 2020, the number of measures on statewide ballots ranged from two to 19.
* From 1985 to 2020, an average of nine measures appeared on the ballot in Arizona during even-numbered election years. The median number of measures was 8.5.
* From 1985 to 2020, 53 percent (89 of 168) of the total number of measures that appeared on statewide ballots during even-numbered years were approved, and 47 percent (79 of 168) were defeated.

Ballot measures in Arizona, 1985-2020

Type | Total number | Approved | Percent approved | Defeated | Percent defeated | Average | Median | Minimum | Maximum
All measures | 168 | 89 | 53.0% | 79 | 47.0% | 9.3 | 8.5 | 2 | 19
Initiated statues and amendments | 62 | 33 | 53.2% | 24 | 46.8% | 3.4 | 2.5 | 0 | 10

## Historical partisan control[edit]

The table below depicts the historical trifecta status of Arizona.

Arizona Party Control: 1992-2026
No Democratic trifectas • Twenty-two years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year  | 92  | 93  | 94  | 95  | 96  | 97  | 98  | 99  | 00  | 01  | 02  | 03  | 04  | 05  | 06  | 07  | 08  | 09  | 10  | 11  | 12  | 13  | 14  | 15  | 16  | 17  | 18  | 19  | 20  | 21  | 22  | 23  | 24  | 25  | 26

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Governor | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D
Senate | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | S | S | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R
House | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R

### Historical Senate control[edit]

Since Arizona achieved statehood in 1912 to 1966, the state Senate was controlled by Democrats after nearly every election. However, starting in 1966 Republicans began winning narrow majorities in the chamber, ceding control back to Democrats in just three elections: 1974, 1976, and 1990. The table below shows the partisan history of the Arizona Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2020. 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: 1992-2020

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

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

From 1992 to 2020, Republicans held control of the chamber after all elections except one, but elections were competitive as they rarely controlled more than 18 of the chamber's 30 seats. Throughout the period, Republicans usually controlled between 16 and 20 seats, while Democrats controlled between 11 and 14 seats. Democrats won 15 seats in 2000, forcing a power-sharing agreement between the parties where a Republican served as Senate president while Democrats controlled key committees.[1]

Like the Arizona House, the party margins in the Senate were mostly consistent and nonreactive to national trends in the early 21st century. Despite national Democratic gains in 2006 and 2008, Arizona Democrats did not win more than 13 seats in either election and even lost a seat in 2008. The 2010 election was an exception as Senate Republicans won a 21-seat majority, their largest ever in the chamber. However, Democrats won 13 seats in 2012 and retained them in 2014, 2016, and 2018. In 2020, Democrats gained one more seat for a total of 14.

### Historical House control[edit]

Since Arizona achieved statehood in 1912 to 2020, the state House was controlled by each party for long periods of time. 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 2020, had not won it back. The table below shows the partisan history of the Arizona House following every general election from 1992 to 2020. 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: 1992-2020

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

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

From 1992 to 2020, Republicans won majorities, with Democrats usually holding enough seats to control at least one-third of the chamber and be within striking range of a majority in the next election cycle. Throughout the period, each party fluctuated in a range of nine seats, with Republicans holding between 31 and 40 and Democrats holding between 20 and 29. Republicans won the 40 seats required for a two-thirds supermajority just twice, and Democrats never won enough seats to take control of the chamber.

A major theme of partisan majorities in the Arizona House from 1992 to 2020 was consistency, even in the face of national trends. Despite a national push toward the Democratic Party in 2006 and 2008, Arizona Democrats did not occupy more than 27 seats. On the other hand, in 2010—a year when Republicans did well nationally—Arizona Republicans reached the 40-seat mark, giving them control of two-thirds of the chamber. However, their gains receded in the following election and they did not eclipse the 40-seat mark.

## See also[edit]

Elections | Arizona State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics

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|
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* Arizona State Senate elections, 2020
* Arizona House of Representatives elections, 2020

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

* State legislative elections, 2020
* State legislative special elections, 2020
* State legislative elections, 2018
* State legislative elections, 2016

* State government trifectas
* State government triplexes
* Veto overrides in state legislatures
* State executives
* State courts
* Ballot measures
* The State Legislative Decade

## External links[edit]

* Search Google News for this topic
* Arizona State Legislature homepage

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Governing.com, "Randall Gnat: Mushroom Power," January 2001

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