Assigned to GOV FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2471
state of emergency; termination
Purpose
Terminates a Governor's state of emergency proclamation after 14 days unless the
Governor calls for a special session of the Legislature.
Background
The Governor may declare a state of emergency if the Governor finds that conditions of
disaster or extreme peril to the safety of persons or property exists within the state caused by air
pollution, fire, flood, epidemic, riot, earthquake or other causes that are likely to be beyond the
control of any single county or municipality (A.R.S. § 26-301). During a state of emergency, the
Governor has complete authority over all agencies of the state government and the right to exercise
all police power vested in the state by the Arizona Constitution. Additionally, the Governor may
direct all agencies to utilize and employ personnel, equipment and facilities for the performance
of activities designed to prevent or alleviate actual or threatened damage due to the emergency.
The Governor's state of emergency powers end when the state of emergency proclamation has
been terminated by proclamation of the Governor or concurrent resolution of the Legislature
(A.R.S. § 26-303).
The Governor may call a special session whenever advisable and must specify the subjects
to be considered by the Legislature during the special session. Laws may not be enacted in a special
session that do not relate to the subjects mentioned in the call of the special session (Ariz. Const.
art. 4, pt. 2 § 3). The Legislature may petition the Governor to call a special session by presentation
of a petition containing the signatures of two-thirds of the members of each house of the
Legislature. Upon receipt of the petition, the Governor must promptly call a special session. The
subjects to be considered during a special session petitioned by the Legislature may not be limited
(Ariz. Const. art. 4, pt. 2, § 1 ).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Terminates a state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor after 14 days, unless the
Governor calls for a special session to assemble the Legislature for the purpose of legislating
on subjects relating to the state of emergency.
2. Makes technical changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date. FACT SHEET
H.B. 2471
Page 2
House Action
MAPS 2/14/22 DP 6-5-0-4
3
rd
Read 2/23/22 31-28-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 9, 2022
MH/slp