Arizona’s Legislative Sessions Face Calls for a Firm Deadline
Efforts are underway to impose a definitive timeframe on Arizona’s legislative sessions, which frequently extend beyond the expected end in April. Both the House and Senate are designed to function as part-time bodies, yet extended debates on budgets and bills often push sessions into the summer months.
Rep. Justin Wilmeth (R-Phoenix) is championing a legislative initiative to enforce an April 30 adjournment deadline. If the proposal, known as HCR 2005, is approved by the Legislature, it will appear on the November ballot for voter consideration to amend the state Constitution.
Wilmeth expressed his motivation for the change, stating, “My big thing and why I decided to do this was that, yes, this is a part-time Legislature. This is how it’s designed. It’s supposed to be four months. That’s why we have that rule, but right now we’re going seven months.”
The push for a fixed deadline is partly to allow lawmakers more personal time, as many juggle their legislative duties with other jobs and family commitments. Legislators earn a $24,000 annual salary, which has prompted some to resign or not seek re-election, citing the job’s demands and low pay. More on this can be found in a report on lawmakers stepping down.
The past five years have seen legislative sessions extending past mid-June, with 2023 marking the longest at 204 days, concluding on July 31. Wilmeth noted, “We’re going to July 1 basically now every year, and that’s unacceptable to me.”
Budget negotiations, a primary legislative task, often cause delays, especially with the current political dynamics between Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Republican-led Legislature. Former Gov. Doug Ducey also encountered lengthy sessions, ending in June during his last two years. Learn more about past negotiation challenges here.
Wilmeth believes that setting a firmer deadline will shift budget negotiations to earlier in the year. If needed, a special session could be convened by the governor to finalize budget details.
Rep. Lupe Contreras (D-Avondale) finds the proposal worth considering. “When I first was thinking about running, I was told that there were shorter sessions and then this is my start of my 14th … I’ve had more longer sessions than not,” said Contreras, who has served since 2013. He recalled a notably brief session under Ducey, lasting only three months, as particularly favorable.
The proposal also addresses per diem discrepancies, as lawmakers from outside Maricopa County receive higher payments. This additional compensation amounted to an average of $45,500 in 2023, compared to $5,700 for in-county lawmakers. For more information, see this report on the per diem differences.
