Bill Would Require Reauthorization For Voter-Enacted Laws Every 8 Years

By Dennis Lambert
Published: Wednesday, February 19, 2014 - 9:30am
Updated: Wednesday, February 19, 2014 - 9:56am
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Voter-enacted laws would have to be reauthorized at the polls every eight years, under a measure approved Tuesday by the Senate Elections Committee. State Sen. Chester Crandell’s bill targets only those initiatives and referenda that involve funding and Crandell says it’s necessary because voters may have had a change of heart.

“If we as state legislators want to be fiscally responsible for all the money that’s being collected in the state and spent in the state, then we need to take a look at initiatives and referendums that have been passed by the people and have an opportunity to audit those on a regular basis,” Crandell said.

Opponents argue the measure is a simple attempt to undermine what voters have approved. If the Legislature approved the bill, Arizona voters would have the final say in November.