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The Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) has evolved and grown in size to become the largest trade association in Arizona representing 11,000+ member businesses. These member businesses employ over half a million people and are located across Arizona in all 15 counties and 30 Legislative Districts. Impressive growth in recent years was the result of ASBA’s proactive efforts to adapt to the changing economic climate and understanding the needs of Arizona small businesses. One the biggest needs identified was stronger representation and increased advocacy for small businesses at the state level to make Arizona a more business friendly state. ASBA strongly believes that what is good for Arizona small businesses is good for Arizona.

After a comprehensive study of Arizona small businesses identifying their biggest stress points, the following five areas became the focus of ASBA’s 2012 Legislative Priorities:

• Taxation
• Regulation
• Economic Development
• Health Care
• Education 
   

Policy Development

ASBA has a Public Policy committee of dedicated volunteer members and staff that are charged with conducting research, surveying the membership, developing its legislative priorities, tracking bills and taking action to influence the passage or defeat of bills. The Public Policy Committee conducts its research and does its due diligence when the Legislature is out of session and also uses this time to meet one-on-one with Legislators. This allows ASBA the opportunity to develop a rapport with Legislators and educate them on who ASBA is, who it represents and the priorities that it will advocate for in the upcoming legislative session.

Once the Legislature is in session, the Public Policy Committee is focused on evaluating bills that are introduced and determines the potential impact it has on Arizona small businesses. Bills that are directly related to ASBA’s legislative priorities, and are found to widely impact and touch businesses throughout the state, are then selected to be tracked. In addition to full-time staff that works on public policy, ASBA maintains a contracted Lobbyist who can be found each day at the Legislature engaging elected officials and working with other Lobbyists on bills on which we have a common interest.

Arizona’s Legislative Process

The lawmaking process in Arizona is similar to that of the U.S. Congress and most other states which involves four major stages: introduction, committee action, floor action and enrollment.

A bill can be introduced by a Legislator or a group of Legislators after being written in proper form as determined by the Legislative Council. The bill is assigned a number and referred to the appropriate standing committees by the Speaker of the House for its First Read. Committees then consider the bill and may hold public hearings, receive expert testimony and statements from citizens and groups such as ASBA. The Committee on Rules determines if the bill is constitutional and in proper form. Committees can pass, amend or hold a bill. If passed by all committees the bill was referred to, the Committee of the Whole (COW) acting as one committee can debate, amend, hold or pass a bill. The Third Reading is held when Roll Call is taken and every member of the House that is present must vote. If passed by the House, the bill then moves on to the Senate.

Once in the Senate a bill goes through a similar process as it did in the House. The Senate can pass the bill in identical form or amend it by adding or deleting content. If passed by the Senate in identical form, the bill is sent to the Governor. An amended bill by the Senate is sent back to the House for those amendments to be considered. If the House accepts the Senate amendments, the bill is then sent by the House to the Governor. If the House rejects the amendments from the Senate, the bill can be sent to a Conference Committee where both houses have representation and can adopt a compromise. If a compromise is reached on a bill, a report is sent back to each House for adoption and Final Passage. The bill is then sent to the Governor.

The Governor can sign a bill into law or veto it. If no action is taken by the Governor after five days (or ten days after the Legislature adjourns), the bill becomes law. The Legislature can override the Governor’s veto with a two-thirds vote after a bill is returned by the Governor stating his/her reasons for the veto.

2012 Top Priority Bills

Result: HB 2123 passed out of the House with a 58-0 vote and the Senate with a 28-0 vote and was signed into Law by the Governor.

Sponsor: Rep. Tom Forese, LD 21
Summary: Gives employers more tools and somewhat more time to protest the awarding of unemployment benefits to a discharged employee.
Result: HB 2150 passed out of the House with a 40-20 vote and Senate with a 20-9 vote and was signed into Law by the Governor.

Result: This bill made little progress in the Legislature. There are issues about defining exactly what are the requirements to be an "Arizona” bidder. The Legislature is also studying how often RFPs result in identical price bids. Overall, there is concern that this bill is a good idea that is challenging to implement.

Result: This bill made little progress in the Legislature. There are issues about defining exactly what are the requirements to be a "small business” and what is an appropriate "qualified employment position.” Again, there is concern that this bill is a good idea that is challenging to implement.