ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
county powers
Purpose
Authorizes counties to enact ordinances that are not limited by, or in conflict with, state rule and laws, without seeking legislative approval.
Background
Presently, statute provides a county board of supervisors the authority to adopt, amend, and repeal ordinances when conducting county business necessary in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of that county. Currently, legislation must be introduced to give counties the authority to address specific issues. According to the County Supervisors Association, this includes legislation to allow counties permission to perform incidental tasks. For example, in the past, counties have sought and received permission to enact a barking dog ordinance, to sell trinkets and sundries at county parks and to provide technical assistance to fire districts. This bill clarifies current statute by allowing counties to enact ordinances on a very narrow basis. Issues such as budgets, private property rights, the right to tax or levy fees and the right to zone must still come before the Legislature.
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows a county board of supervisors to enact ordinances.
2. Prohibits counties from charging fees for land transaction and from changing county land use, planning or zoning without authorization.
3. Makes technical changes
4. Provides for a general effective date
Amendments
Adopted in Government Committee
Prohibits counties from enacting ordinances changing county land use, planning or zoning without authorization and outside of present statutory limitations.
JUD 3/6/01 DPA 9-0-0-1
3rd Read
3/19/01 52-4-4-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
April 3, 2001