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Governor Brewer Hands Down Bill Signatures, Vetoes

Governor Jan Brewer wrapped up the legislative session by signing 190 bills, vetoing 24  bills (mainly budget measures, and two with line item vetoes) and allowed 1 measure to become law without her signature. 1133 bills were introduced this sesson, but only 213 were transmitted to the Governor.

Among the county related measures signed by the Governor is HB 2236: county operations; management (Tobin).  The bill is a package that includes three county cost saving mechanisms. It allows a county to adopt an alternative work week schedule. The bill also allows a county to use a hearing officer in a merit system appeal, and to pay healthcare costs for pre-Medicare retirees.

The bill passed the legislature with a wide margin and was enacted with an emergency clause, meaning the bill becomes effective on the Governor's signature. Navajo County has already enacted a four day work week pilot program. The six month pilot program will begin Monday, August 3rd, when county offices will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday. The sheriff and courts will continue to be open at least five days a week. The county estimates the measure could save up to $90,000 in energy costs.

The Governor also signed HB 2581: library districts; county reimbursement. The bill allows a library district to reimburse a county for administrative costs. Most other special districts already have that statutory authority. Yuma County Representative Russ Jones sponsored the bill.

The Governor vetoed HB 2258: consumer fireworks (Biggs). In her veto letter, Brewer said she supported the bill in concept but expressed concern over fire danger and irresponsible fireworks use. Counties opposed the bill because a county would not have had the ability to restrict the use of fireworks in unincorporated lands, even in extreme fire danger.

 

Brewer also vetoed SB 1022: political signs; tampering. The bill would have prohibited moving or removing a political sign during election season, if certain conditions are met,  and would have prevented a county from moving a sign in a public right-of-way except if the sign placement constitutes an emergency.

 

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The conference is a partnership between the Arizona Association for Economic Development and the Arizona Department of Commerce. It will be an opportunity for rural leaders to learn about tools and information available to help rural areas attain diverse and stable regional economies.

 

Today, July 17, is the last day to register as an "early bird" for the conference. Click here for the conference website.

 

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