Assigned to GOV                                                                                                      FOR CAUCUS & FLOOR ACTION

 

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

REVISED

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2260

 

fire districts; elections

 

Purpose

 

            Allows the board of directors for a fire district to cancel elections and appoint a nominee under certain criteria. 

 

Background

 

            Pursuant to statute, fire districts in Arizona are a type of special taxing district that provide for the operation, administration and maintenance of fire-fighting facilities.  There are currently 156 fire districts in Arizona.  The vast majority are small, rural districts with small budgets and volunteer fire fighters.  Fire district boards are composed of three to five members depending on the population of the district. When there is a vacancy on the board, current law  requires that an election be held to fill the position.  Districts administered by an elected chief hold elections every four years; whereas districts administered by a district board hold elections every two years. Smaller districts have expressed concern that holding an election without competition causes unnecessary financial burden.  This legislation will allow the board of directors to cancel an election if there is only one nominee.

            There is no fiscal impact associated with this legislation.

Provisions

 

1.      Allows the county board of supervisors to cancel an election for a vacancy on the board of directors for a fire district or vacant fire chief and secretary treasurer and appoint a nominee if the vacancy is due to a term expiration.  Stipulates that the election may be canceled only if one person has filed a nominating petition and the board appoints the person who submitted the only nominating petition.

 

2.      Stipulates that a person who is appointed to the board is granted the same powers and duties as if the person had been elected to the board.

 

3.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amendments Adopted in Committee of the Whole

 

1.      Reassigns the authority to cancel an election from the fire district board of directors to the county board of supervisors.

 

2.      Allows elections to be cancelled, under the same criteria, for elected fire chiefs and elected secretary treasurers.

 

House Action                                                               Senate Action

 

PIRA               1/23/01            DP       9-0-0-1             GOV           4/2/01        DPA        5-1-0

3rd Read           2/13/01                    46-11-3-0

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

April 3, 2001