Assigned to APPROP FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.C.R. 1020
general appropriation bill; continuing appropriation
Purpose
Subject to voter approval, constitutionally continues the general appropriation act from the
previous fiscal year until a new general appropriation bill is signed into law, if a new fiscal year
begins and no general appropriation bill has been signed into law.
Background
The annual general appropriations bill is constitutionally required annual legislation that
may not include any item other than appropriations for the departments of the state, state
institutions, public schools and interest on public debt. When passed by the Legislature, the
General Appropriations Act is effective on the signature of the Governor (Ariz. Const. art 4,
pt. 2, § 20).
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) must: 1) ascertain facts and make
recommendations to the Legislature relating to the state budget, state revenues and expenditures,
the organization and functions of state agencies and future fiscal needs in Arizona; 2) implement
a system of fiscal notes to apply to introduced legislation and agency rules with a fiscal impact;
3) analyze the effects of the state tax structure, tax burdens and tax incentives on individuals and
businesses; and 4) implement a system of fiscal analysis that applies to introduced legislation
that involve one or more proposed changes to the tax law (A.R.S. § 41-1272).
JLBC consists of 16 members, including: 1) the majority leaders of the Senate and House
of Representatives; 2) the chairpersons of the Senate and House of Representatives
Appropriations committees; 4) the chairperson of the Senate Finance Committee; 4) the
chairperson of the House Ways and Means Committee; 5) five members of the Senate
Appropriations Committee appointed by the President of the Senate; and 6) five members of the
House Appropriations Committee appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives
(A.R.S. § 41-1271).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Continues, if a new fiscal year begins and no general appropriation bill has been signed into
law, the general appropriation bill for the immediately preceding fiscal year until a new general
appropriation bill is signed into law. FACT SHEET
S.C.R. 1020
Page 2
2. Requires JLBC or its successor agency, by a majority vote of all appointed members, to adjust,
for inflation and enrollment growth in the new fiscal year or to remove onetime transfers and
expenditures and make required debt service adjustments, the continued general appropriation
amounts for programs administered by the:
a) Arizona Department of Education;
b) Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System; and
c) Department of Economic Security.
3. Specifies that the previous general appropriation bill does not continue in effect for the new
fiscal year if, after being adjusted by JLBC, the previous general appropriation bill, together
with any other appropriations required by law in the new fiscal year, would appropriate an
amount that exceeds the projected General Fund revenues for the new fiscal year.
4. Allows the Legislature to enact laws to enforce the continuation of the previous fiscal year's
general appropriation bill.
5. Makes technical and conforming changes.
6. Requires the Secretary of State to submit the proposition to the voters at the next general
election.
7. Becomes effective if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 1, 2024
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