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HB 2512 Municipal Taxes; Auditors and Collectors
House Bill 2512 municipal taxes; auditors and collectors sponsored by Representative Rick Murphy (R-Glendale), has passed
out of the House Ways and Means Committee despite opposition by the League. The bill prohibits cities and towns from using private,
third-party entities from performing certain tax administration, auditing and collection functions. Because of severe cutbacks in city
budgets and at the Department of Revenue, the League will continue to oppose this bill because cities may want the option of private tax
administration.
The League appreciates the support of Representatives Steve Farley (D-Tucson) and Tom Chabin (D-Flagstaff)
for voting against the bill in committee.
HB 2631 State Capitol Restoration Recapture
District
The League supported HB 2631 in Government Committee this week, which is sponsored by Representative David Gowan (R - Sierra Vista).
HB 2361 establishes a State Capitol Centennial Restoration Trust Fund, in which counties and municipalities may participate. This bill
creates an economic development tool for local governments, which is a step in the right policy direction.
Read more...
Session Update
Bill "drop" deadline has officially passed for both the Senate and the House, however the committee hearing deadline for the Legislature was
extended a week to February 26, 2010. Most committees convened this week with a variety of bills being heard that affect cities and towns.
Few floor votes have taken place yet on bills that impact municipalities. As of this publication 1,230 bills have been introduced, along
with 128 memorials and resolutions.
Read more...
Sixth Special Session: Sine Die
Last week the Governor issued a Call for the Sixth Special Session to occur concurrently with the 49th Second Regular Session. The session
was intended to pass a sales tax referral to the May ballot, bond against future lottery proceeds and enact additional spending cuts for the
current fiscal year.
Read more...
Eminent Domain (SB 1362 and SB 1365)
This week the League opposed two eminent domain bills in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which are sponsored by Senator Chuck Gray (R-Mesa).
An expert attorney testified on behalf of the League, courtesy of our members. Despite his points on each bill, they both passed of
Committee and may advance though the legislative process.
Read more...
HB 2407 municipal sales tax; utilities
Representative Frank Antenori (R-Tucson) is the sponsor of HB 2407, which exempts unincorporated residents who are
customers of municipal utility services, from municipal excise tax. More importantly, this bill prohibits a municipality from increasing
any municipal excise tax unless the nominal rate increase applies equally across all classes of taxpayers subject to the tax, regardless of
whether a city or town has adopted the Model City Tax Code. Lastly, this bill requires any increases in municipal excise tax rates paid by a
public service corporation to be approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Read more...
THE WEEKLY SPOTLIGHT
Representative Cecil Ash (R - Mesa)
Born in the city he now represents, Mr. Ash grew up on a cattle ranch in southeastern Arizona.
After attending a semester at BYU and a semester at U of A, he served a 27-month mission for his church in France, from 1968 to 1970.
After his mission, he returned to college and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, cum laude from Brigham Young University
in 1973. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from ASU in December of 1976.
Read more...
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Legislative Bulletin is published by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns.
Forward your comments or suggestions to league@azleague.org.
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