Sunday, December 26, 2010

Getting ready for the next session of the legislature - dates

Culled from an Arizona Republic article written by Alia Beard Rau.  The House and Senate schedule/deadline memos aren't posted yet, but when available, they'll be posted on the legislature's website.

Commentary, some snarky, some not, added by me for educational and entertainment value.

Some of the scheduled upcoming events (OK, some of the "scheduled" dates are more "fervently hoped for" than "definitively planned"):

- The inauguration of the statewide constitutional officers (Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Mine Inspector) will be on January 3, 2011 at the Capitol on West Washington.  Open to the public.

- Russell Pearce and a rogues' gallery of nativists from across the country will trek to D.C. to announce an attack on the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

- The 50th Arizona Legislature will be sworn in and start its work on January 10, 2011.  This is also the day that the Governor traditionally delivers the State of the State address.  There are limited public seats available.  The best course of action for those who wish to attend the festivities is to contact your legislator.  Though if your legislator is a Republican, you'd better be a family member or a favored lobbyist if you really expect to obtain a ticket.

Speaking of lobbyists, the Capitol Events calendar, showing the different events that have booked time or space near the Capitol (usually, but not always, the House or Senate lawns) is filling quickly.  The first "event" of the legislative season will be a "prayer walk" conducted by the Center for Arizona Theocracy Policy.

- The deadline to introduce bills in the Senate is January 31, 2011.  To introduce bills after that, approval of the Senate Rules Committee will be required.

- The deadline to introduce bills in the House is February 7, 2011.  To introduce bills after that, approval of the House Rules Committee will be required.

Except for "strike-everything" amendments which change a previously introduced bill into something completely different.

- The last day for House and Senate committees to hear bills introduced in their respective chambers is March 12, 2011.  At that point, any unheard bills are considered dead.

Except for those bills revived by a strike-everything amendment.

- The last day for House and Senate committees to hear bills that were introduced in and approved by the other chamber is April 9, 2011.  At that point, any bills that haven't be heard in both chambers will be considered dead.

Except for those bills revived by a strike-everything amendment.

The 100th day of the session, and the traditional target date for adjournment of the lege, is April 19, 2011.

Hey, anything could happen.  Though it hasn't happened in recent memory, and usually the only years they come close are election years (time spent legislating takes time away from campaigning to keep their jobs as legislators).  Of course, even if the R leadership keeps the railroad running on schedule by sacrificing accomplishment (you know, like passing a budget that's actually balanced), they can always call a special session.

They had *nine* special sessions during the 49th Arizona Legislature.  And the budget still isn't balanced.

No comments: