|
|
|
 |
Legislative IssuesMarch 16, 2011Controversial Immigration Legislation Defeated in the Senate Today was a critical day for Arizona's Tourism Industry and business community at the State Capitol. Five controversial bills focusing on new immigration legislation were heard on the Senate Floor.
We are thrilled to say that the efforts of daily legislative visits, emails, phone calls, hearing testimonials and letters were validated by today's defeat of ALL five bills on the Senate Floor. Had they passed, they would have moved on to the House, but not clearing the Senate Floor means that these particular bills are likely no longer a threat this year. The ATA has been actively engaged on all legislation moving through the 2011 Session. We have been acutely focused on educating members of the Senate and House to the damaging economic impacts that further legislation focusing on immigration could have on our state's fragile recovery and the 200,000 jobs supported by tourism. We owe our deepest gratitude to ALL of the senators who voted against these bills. In particular, we are thankful for the nine Republicans who stood strong amidst incredible pressure to protect Arizona's business community. Please join us in thanking the following Republican Senators who voted Nay on one or more of the bills: Allen, Antenori, Barto, Bundgaard, Crandall, Driggs, Gray, McComish, Nelson, Steve Pierce, Reagan and Yarbrough. We encourage our members to thank them for their support by calling or emailing them. We are also grateful to our many members who assisted with our strategy development and worked tirelessly to call, email and meet with legislators in their districts. Thank you! If you have not done so already, we would still encourage you to make your donation to the Hotel & Tourism's Political Action Committee today to help further the influence of our industry! February 1, 2011Current Bills Under Review H2537: IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION CHALLENGES Amends Laws 2010, Chapter 211, that authorized the attorney general and governor to defend the state in any legal proceeding challenging last year's S10170 (immigration; law enforcement; safe neighborhoods) to delete references to a terminal date for the authorization. Effect is to make the authorization permanent. Additionally, the House speaker and Senate president are authorized to hire lawyers to initiate legal proceedings or to appear on behalf of their respective chambers in any legal challenge to S1070. Session law; does not amend statute; valid only for the life of the 50th Legislature. Retroactive to Jan. 1, 2011. Emergency clause. S1117: IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION CHALLENGES Continues indefinitely the authorization for the governor to direct counsel other than the Attorney General to defend challenges to Laws 2010, Chapter 113 (SB1070) and later amendments to it. Previously, the authorization expired on Jan. 1, 2011. Also authorizes the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate to direct counsel to initiate a legal proceeding or appear on behalf of their respective chambers or on behalf of the Legislature in any challenge in a state or federal court to SB1070. Retroactive to January 1, 2011. Emergency clause. H2561: ARIZONA CITIZENSHIP A person is an Arizona citizen if the person is born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, and the person is lawfully domiciled in Arizona. Defines “subject to the jurisdiction of the United States” as a child of at least one parent who is a United States citizen or national, or an immigrant accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United State, or a person without nationality in any foreign country. A person is also a citizen of Arizona if the person is naturalized in the United States and is lawfully domiciled in Arizona. H2562: BIRTH CERTIFICATES; CITIZENSHIP; INTERSTATE COMPACT The Governor is authorized and directed to enter into an interstate birth certificate compact in a form substantially as specified. The purpose of the compact is to make a distinction in the birth certificates, certifications of live birth, or other birth records between a person born in the United States who is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and who is a natural born citizen, and a person who is not born subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Defines “subject to the jurisdiction of the United States” as a child of at least one parent who is a United States citizen or national, or an immigrant accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United State, or a person without nationality in any foreign country. The governor of each party state must enforce the compact, and any taxpaying resident of any party state has standing in the courts of any party state to require that S1308: BIRTH CERTIFICATES; CITIZENSHIP; INTERSTATE COMPACT The Governor is authorized and directed to enter into an interstate birth certificate compact in a form substantially as specified. The purpose of the compact is to make a distinction in the birth certificates, certifications of live birth, or other birth records between a person born in the United States who is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and who is a natural born citizen, and a person who is not born subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Defines “subject to the jurisdiction of the United States” as a child of at least one parent who is a United States citizen or national, or an immigrant accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United State, or a person without nationality in any foreign country. The governor of each party state must enforce the compact, and any taxpaying resident of any party state has standing in the courts of any party state to require that state's governor to enforce the compact. S1309: ARIZONA CITIZENSHIP A person is an Arizona citizen if the person is born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, and the person is lawfully domiciled in Arizona. Defines “subject to the jurisdiction of the United States” as a child of at least one parent who is a United States citizen or national, or an immigrant accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United State, or a person without nationality in any foreign country. A person is also a citizen of Arizona if the person is naturalized in the United States and is lawfully domiciled in Arizona. The legislation that would continue the Arizona Office of tourism continues to wind its way through the process. Industry officials and the AOT leadership have come together with House Commerce Chairman Jim Weiers on a five year extension. AOT Director Sherry Henry told Weiers that she believes the five year extension will assist her office in the planning process. H2078: TOURISM OFFICE; CONTINUATION The statutory life of the Office of Tourism is extended 10 years to July 1, 2021. Retroactive to July 1, 2011. Gaming once again has become a high profile issue as a result of the Tohono O’dom tribes recent attempt to have a significant parcel of land located about a mile or so due north of the University of Phoenix Stadium declared tribal land for the purpose of constructing a casino resort. This has drawn significant opposition in the form of legislation to stop the tribes from completing this effort. The ATA leadership is recommending that we support this legislation. Both bills have been passed and are awaiting Governor Brewer’s signature at the time of this report. H2534/SB 1136: MUNICIPAL ANNEXATION; GLENDALE Municipalities located in counties with more than 350,000 (Maricopa or Pima) are authorized to annex any territory that is bordered by the municipality on at least 3 sides if the landowner has requested that the federal government take ownership of the territory. Annexation under these circumstances is valid if approved by a majority vote of the municipal council and becomes effective immediately if it is approved by at least a 2/3 vote. Emergency clause. HR2001: OPPOSITION; GAMING; NEW INDIAN RESERVATION The House expresses its opposition to the Tohono O'odham Nation's application to the federal government to create a reservation on land the nation owns adjoining Glendale. SR1001: OPPOSITION; GAMING; NEW INDIAN RESERVATION The Senate express its opposition to an application by the Tohono O'odham Nation to the federal government that a new Indian reservation be created "within the exterior borders and neighborhoods" of the city of Glendale. The Senate claims that even though the Tohono O'odham Nation changed its application to remove a request for authority to conduct gaming on the property, the Nation has "consistently stated its intention to conduct gaming" at that location. Also, the state contends the federal government is barred from creating a new reservation there because the land is a county island within the city, and federal statute prohibits creation of a reservation "within a city or town." The Senate authorizes legislative leadership to join as parties to any lawsuit to enjoin the federal government from creating this new reservation. The Secretary of State is directed to forward copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the presiding officers of each chamber of Congress and each member of the state's congressional delegation. SCR1007: NEW INDIAN RESERVATION; GAMING; OPPOSITION The Legislature expresses its opposition to an application by the Tohono O'odham Nation to the federal government that a new Indian reservation be created "within the exterior borders and neighborhoods" of the city of Glendale. The Legislature claims that even though the Tohono O'odham Nation changed its application to remove a request for authority to conduct gaming on the property, the Nation has "consistently stated its intention to conduct gaming" at that location. Also, the state contends the federal government is barred from creating a new reservation there because the land is a county island within the city, and federal statute prohibits creation of a reservation "within a city or town." The Legislature authorizes legislative leadership to join as parties to any lawsuit to enjoin the federal government from creating this new reservation. The Secretary of State is directed to forward copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the presiding officers of each chamber of Congress and each member of the state's congressional delegation. Other bills of interest that we are covering follow and will be dealt with in more detail in subsequent reports. The summaries are included for your review. H2025: UNEMPLOYMENT; SPECIAL ASSESSMENT The statute establishing a surtax on wages paid by employers that is part of the mechanism for funding the unemployment insurance system is repealed and replaced with language establishing a special assessment for calendar years 2011 and 2012. The assessment for 2011 is 0.4 of 1% of taxable wages; the assessment for 2012 is 0.6 of 1%. In each year, the assessment is billed in the third quarter and payable in the fourth quarter. Assessments are deposited in a special fund created by this legislation. Use of the monies in the fund is restricted to (1) payment of interest on loans taken out by the state to pay unemployment benefits and (2) repayment of the principal of those loans. The rate of the special assessment may be adjusted up or down depending on whether collections are sufficient to pay all interest and retire the principal by October 31, 2012. H2220: RACING FACILITIES; GAMING; RACINOS Racing facilities may obtain a license from the Dept of racing to permit it to hold casino-type games (including poker, blackjack and slots). A percentage of daily gross gaming revenue (the amount is left blank in original) is to be forwarded to the state treasurer for deposit in the General Fund. Because of the net increase in state revenues, this measure requires a 2/3 majority in each chamber for passage (Prop 108). H2239: STATE PARKS BOARD; MEMBERSHIP One of the seven members of the State Parks Board must be professionally engaged in the tourism industry. All current Board members may continue to serve until the expiration of their normal terms. H2273: LIQUOR LICENSES; BEER FESTIVALS & FAIRS The Dept of Liquor Licenses is authorized to issue beer festival licenses for sampling of domestic microbrewery products on the beer festival premises, and to issue beer fair licenses for sampling on the fair premises. Due to a possible increase in state revenue, this bill requires the affirmative vote of at least 2/3 of each house of the Legislature for passage (Prop 108). H2351: VEHICLE RENTAL RETURN; FAILURE; CRIMINAL CLASSIFICATION Unlawful failure to return a rented motor vehicle is a class 5 felony (increased from a class 1 misdemeanor). H2369: DUI; WORK RELEASE The court is required, instead of allowed, to permit DUI defendants to continue employment or schooling during a jail sentence, unless the court finds good cause and places those findings on the record. H2371: DUI; IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE A person convicted of a first offense of driving under the influence is no longer required to equip a motor vehicle with an ignition interlock device for 12 months. H2394: SUSTAINABLE STATE PARKS FEE; FUND Establishes an annual sustainable state parks fee to be paid along with vehicle registration fees, in an amount determined by the State Parks Board. The fee is deposited in the newly established Sustainable Parks Fund, used by the Board to operate, maintain and make capital improvements to state parks. The Board may no longer charge a fee for the day use of state parks to a vehicle with Arizona license plates. H2475: STATE CAPITOL RESTORATION; RECAPTURE DISTRICTS Beginning October 1, 2011, through June 30, 2018, authorization is granted to form a State Capitol and Economic Recapture District, jointly governed by the governing bodies of participating jurisdictions and overseen by a 14- member oversight committee. The powers and duties of the district are provided, including authority to issue bonds and expend revenues to further the project. Bonds are to be repaid with increases in sales tax generated within the district. The district must terminate by June 30, 2052. H2502: PUBLIC PROGRAMS; ADS; FUNDING SOURCE Public agencies advertising a program are required to identify the source of monies for the program in the advertisement. ready for Senate. H2549: STATE NICKNAME; GRAND CANYON STATE Offically declares the state nickname to be "The Grand Canyon State." H2555: TAXIS; LOCAL REGULATION; PROHIBITED The regulation of taxis, limousines and livery vehicles are declared a matter of statewide concern, and the statutes permitting local jusisditions to regulate them are repealed. S1159: TAX CREDITS; MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION Statutes governing the individual and corporate income tax credits for qualified motion picture production in Arizona are repealed and replaced. Impossible to determine new provisions without a line by line comparison. Retroactive to January 1, 2011. Also establishes a multimedia production employment mentoring program. Emergency clause. S1200: IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE; TIME REQUIREMENTS The Dept of Transportation is required to reduce the time period that a person convicted of a DUI must use an ignition interlock device to 6 months if the person is a first time offender, voluntarily completes an alcohol or other drug education or treatment program provided by a facility approved by the Dept of Health Services, and has maintained a functioning ignition interlock device for 6 consecutive months. S1201: FIREARMS OMNIBUS The state and state agencies are prohibited from enacting any ordinance, rule or tax relating to the transportation, possession, sale, gift, storage, registration or use of firearms or ammunition. It is no longer misconduct involving weapons to carry a deadly weapon in a public establishment or at a public event after a request from the operator to remove the weapon for temporary and secure storage. The state, state agencies, and political subdivisions may limit or prohibit firearms in a public establishment or at a public event that is issued a liquor license at times when alcoholic beverages are available for consumption on the premises, with some exceptions. The limit or prohibition must be done with specified signs and meet other requirements. An employee or official acting on behalf of the state, agency, or political subdivision who knowingly violates this statute is guilty of a class 5 felony, and no public monies may be spent defending a person who is charged with a violation. S1221: URBAN REVENUE SHARING; DISTRIBUTION FREEZE Beginning in fiscal year 2011-12 and continuing until fiscal 2029-30, the amount of income tax revenue that is distributed to municipalities (per statutes establishing the urban revenue sharing program) is capped at the amount of the "net proceeds of the state income taxes" for fiscal 2009-10. [Capitol Reports note: the state places 15% of net income tax revenue in the Urban Revenue Sharing Fund.] During the 20 years that this freeze is in place, monies in the fund in excess of what is distributed to municipalities shall be transferred to the state General Fund to pay off the sale and leaseback of state property and to supplant sales tax payments to retire bonds associated with certain multipurpose facilities and with the Phoenix and Tucson convention centers. S1262: LICENSE PLATES; SPECIAL; CENTENNIAL The Dept of Transportation is required to issue Arizona Centennial special license plates using $32,000 from the State Highway Fund to pay implementation costs. Of the annual $25 fee, $8 is the special plate administration fee and $17 is depostied in a Centennial Plate Fund of which the first $32,000 shall be used to repay the Highway Fund. The director of the department shall make quarterly allocations from the Centennial Plate Fund to the Dept of Tourism for pay for centennial events and projects. S1268: EXPIRED MOTION PICTURE INCENTIVES; REPEAL Removes from statute all mention the expired motion picture tax incentive program. *Bill summaries and histories copyright 2011 Arizona Capitol Reports, L.L.C.
September 1, 2010Primary elections results The primary elections on August 24th were good for tourism. From the list below you will see the highlighted candidates who won who we considered “Friends of Tourism” were significant in number. So we have a great base to work from moving forward into the general election. But as Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” We are engaging additional candidates in interviews who either did not have primaries or were unavailable to meet during the summer. In addition, and this is critical, we hope that Alliance members participate in events, fundraisers and campaign activities to make certain that we have the same success in the general that we did in the primary. State Senator - District No. 2 Democratic JACKSON JACK C. State Senator - District No. 4 Republican BOUIE TONY State Senator - District No. 4 Republican BUNDGAARD SCOTT State Senator - District No. 5 Republican KONOPNICKI BILL State Senator - District No. 6 Republican BRASWELL DAVID State Senator - District No. 6 Republican KLEIN LORI State Senator - District No. 7 Republican BARTO NANCY State Senator - District No. 11 Republican DRIGGS ADAM State Senator - District No. 12 Republican NELSON JOHN State Senator - District No. 12 Republican SILVER CLARK State Senator - District No. 16 Democratic LANDRUM LEAH State Senator - District No. 19 Republican CRANDALL RICH State Senator - District No. 23 Republican SMITH STEVE State Senator - District No. 30 Republican ANTENORI FRANK State Senator - District No. 30 Republican MCCLURE MARIAN ANN State Representative - District No. 1 Republican FANN KAREN State Representative - District No. 1 Republican TOBIN ANDY State Representative - District No. 2 Democratic CHABIN TOM State Representative - District No. 3 Republican GOODALE DORIS State Representative - District No. 3 Republican MCLAIN NANCY State Representative - District No. 5 Republican BARTON BRENDA State Representative - District No. 5 Republican CRANDELL CHESTER State Representative - District No. 6 Republican KOWALSKI JOHN ADAM State Representative - District No. 6 Republican REEVE AMANDA State Representative - District No. 7 Republican BURROUGHS KRISTEN State Representative - District No. 7 Republican CARTER HEATHER State Representative - District No. 7 Republican COSKUN MICHAEL State Representative - District No. 8 Republican BLAIRE MICHAEL State Representative - District No. 8 Republican KAVANAGH JOHN State Representative - District No. 8 Republican MAHOUBI RAY State Representative - District No. 8 Republican PENNYPACKER PAULA State Representative - District No. 8 Republican ULIS ERIC State Representative - District No. 9 Republican DOUGLAS DIANE M. State Representative - District No. 9 Republican GRAY RICK State Representative - District No. 10 Republican ADAMS BILL State Representative - District No. 10 Republican YEE KIMBERLY State Representative - District No. 11 Republican BOLICK SHAWNNA State Representative - District No. 11 Republican BROPHY MCGEE KATE State Representative - District No. 13 Democratic MIRANDA RICHARD State Representative - District No. 13 Democratic TOVAR ANNA State Representative - District No. 15 Democratic ALSTON LELA State Representative - District No. 15 Democratic CLARK KEN State Representative - District No. 15 Democratic HOBBS KATIE State Representative - District No. 17 Republican MAY STEVE State Representative - District No. 19 Republican ADAMS KIRK State Representative - District No. 19 Republican PERKINSON SCOTT State Representative - District No. 20 Republican DIAL JEFF State Representative - District No. 20 Republican ROBSON BOB State Representative - District No. 21 Republican FORESE TOM State Representative - District No. 21 Republican MESNARD J.D. State Representative - District No. 21 Republican WHITENER VENESSA State Representative - District No. 22 Republican HENDRIX LAURIN State Representative - District No. 22 Republican URIE STEVE State Representative - District No. 23 Democratic MCGUIRE BARBARA State Representative - District No. 25 Democratic ORTEGA RUBEN State Representative - District No. 26 Republican PROUD TERRI State Representative - District No. 26 Republican WILLIAMS VIC State Representative - District No. 27 Democratic COX DUSTIN State Representative - District No. 27 Democratic GILBY BOB State Representative - District No. 27 Democratic HAMED SAMI State Representative - District No. 28 Democratic FARLEY STEVE State Representative - District No. 28 Democratic PREZELSKI TED State Representative - District No. 30 Republican GOWAN DAVID State Representative - District No. 30 Republican SCHNEIDER PARRALEE State Representative - District No. 30 Republican SPOSITO DOUG State Representative - District No. 30 Republican VOGT TED
(There may be some candidates who are supportive of the Tourism industry who are not listed above. This may be because they were unwilling or unable to meet with us for an interview. If any members know such candidates please let us know so we can add them to the subsequent list. This list reflects interviews conducted through July 30, 2010.)
Other news The Alliance has been engaged in building coalitions with other business organizations to support the policy initiatives of the Alliance and the tourism industry in general. Already this summer the Greater Phoenix Chamber Economic Development Committee adopted changes to its Guiding Principles, “SUPPORT INITIATIVES TO RECRUIT LEISURE AND BUSINESS TRAVEL TO ARIZONA AND IN PARTICULAR,THE PHOENIX METROPOLITAN REGION. “ They also included new language in their Priority Policies supporting, “LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS THAT SUPPORT PROPER UTILIZATION OF DEDICATED TOURISM FUNDS FOR THE PROMOTION OF ARIZONA LEISURE AND BUSINESS TRAVEL LOCALLY, NATIONALLY, AND INTERNATIONALLY.” On September 16th we will be advocating the same proposal to the Tucson Chamber’s Economic Development Committee and initial conversations suggest that Tucson Chamber staff will be recommending that the committee adopt our language. But we have not stopped there and that’s where Alliance members can be of help. Alliance members who are active members of committees or boards of local Chambers need to let us know of their participation so that we can present our proposals to their organizations. Also we have continued our dialogue with legislative leadership towards restoring formula funding for AOT and removing the diversion of Prop 302 funds from Maricopa County CVB’s.
August 3, 2010Over the last few months, Laura Tessier, some industry members, and I have been conducting candidate interviews. These interviews provide the opportunity to discuss issues that affect our industry and find out if the candidates running for the state legislatures are inclined towards support of the Tourism industry and our public policy initiatives. We have determined their relative support by how they addressed the following questions:
While the candidates differed in articulating their position, the following is a list of candidates who were interviewed and have a primary race that have shown support for the Tourism industry. We will continue to conduct these interviews and will provide an updated list shortly after Labor Day for the general election.
(There may be some candidates who are supportive of the Tourism industry who are not listed above. This may be because they were unwilling or unable to meet with us for an interview. If any members know such candidates please let us know so we can add them to the subsequent list. This list reflects interviews conducted through July 30, 2010.)
If you would like further information regarding these legislative items please email Barry Aarons. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
copyright © (2005) Arizona Tourism Alliance, all rights reserved.