Arizona Legislative Branch Essay

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• Describe the structure of Arizona’s legislative branch in the state government. What are the qualifications for-and limitations to-serving in the legislature? The structure of the Arizona Legislative senate is bicameral. Merriam-Webster defines bicameral as ‘having, consisting of, or based on two legislative chamber” (Meriam-Webster Online). Consisting of two chambers resembling the United States Congress. Consisting of sixty representatives and thirty senators. A Total of ninety legislators represent thirty districts consisting of approximately equal population make up Arizona’s. legislative districts. The minimal qualifications required to become a state legislator are that they must be a citizen of the United States at the time of election. …show more content…

The first step is introduction, only currently serving legislators can propose bills. Then it goes to Committee where the public may speak for or against it. Next the bill is sent to the Rules Committee to ensure it doesn’t violate Arizona Constitution. If any legislator wishes to amend the bill it is sent to Committee of the Whole (COW) where the bill is debated, skipping this step if no amendments are proposed. The Third Reading takes place next, the bill is read out loud for the third time as required by the state constitution before it is voted on by the entire …show more content…

Explain each process. Explain the roles of the House, Senate, and Chief Justice in the impeachment process. Hargrave (2016) states there are two ways to remove an elected official from office. First is recall elections, also known as special elections that require twenty-five percent of the elected official’s constituents that voted in the last election, to sign a petition asking to hold a special election. After verification, the official has five days to decide to resign or campaign to retain the office. Then the people vote to determine the outcome. The second is impeachment, the other option to remove someone from office without a special election. When an elected official is charged with high crimes, misdemeanors or malfeasance a trial is held in the senate to determine if the official is to be removed from office and even in some cases banned from holding public office in Arizona again. The impeachment process requires that the charges be brought by the House of Representatives only. After which a trial will be held with the senate as the jury deciding whether to impeach or not. The Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme court presides as judge over the

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