Arizona House Bill HB2099

Arizona 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/22
• Report Pass: 1/25/22
• Report Pass: 1/31/22

Caption

Municipalities; membership dues; limit

Impact

If enacted, HB2099 is expected to have significant implications for the financial operations of municipalities in Arizona. By capping dues in relation to population, the bill would prevent wealthier cities from disproportionately influencing organizational membership and funding through higher contributions. This could promote a more equitable system where smaller or less affluent municipalities are protected from being financially overextended in their membership commitments.

Summary

House Bill 2099 seeks to amend Arizona's statutes regarding municipal general powers, specifically limiting the amount of membership dues that cities and towns can pay to membership organizations. The bill stipulates that no city or town may contribute more than an amount calculated based on its total population multiplied by the per capita membership dues paid by the most populous city that is also a member of the same organization. This aims to create a standardized approach to how municipalities manage their contributions to such organizations, potentially easing the financial burdens on smaller towns.

Contention

The bill could encounter opposition from larger municipalities that may benefit from their current ability to contribute more significant dues for enhanced services and influence within membership organizations. Critics might argue that the bill restricts local governance and their ability to decide how best to allocate their budgets for membership organizations. There may also be concerns regarding how this could impact the services provided by these organizations, possibly limiting their operational budgets as dues from the larger cities and towns are reduced.