HB2959

THE CONTEXT: The Arizona Legislature adopts a budget for each fiscal year (FY) that contains general appropriations. Article IV, Section 20, Part 2 of the Constitution of Arizona requires the General Appropriations Act (feed bill) to contain only appropriations for the different state departments, state institutions, public schools and interest on public debt.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would includes the Maricopa County transportation excise tax in the assessment of fees for the Integrated Tax System Modernization Project, stipulates, as session law, legislative intent that the amount to be charged to all counties, cities, towns, Council of Governments and regional transportation authorities with a population greater than 800,000 for the Integrated Tax System Modernization Project shall not exceed $6,558,800 for FY26 and provides the mechanism to apportion the amount. (Sec 2), and stipulates, as session law, legislative intent that the amount to be charged to all counties, cities, towns, Council of Governments and regional transportation authorities with a population greater than 800,000 for the Integrated Tax System Modernization Project includes the Maricopa County transportation excise tax.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to make the stated financial responsibility enforceable and keep public reporting on time. It would includes the Maricopa County transportation excise tax in the assessment of fees for the Integrated Tax System Modernization Project, and would also stipulates, as session law, legislative intent that the amount to be charged to all counties, cities, towns, Council of Governments and regional transportation authorities with a population greater than 800,000 for the Integrated Tax System Modernization Project shall not exceed $6,558,800 for FY26 and provides the mechanism to apportion the amount. (Sec 2), rather than leave the current rule unchanged.