Arizona

Introduction

Oversight Summary

Oversight Survey

Arizona is one of 27 states in which no outside agency oversees ethical conduct of state legislators. It is one of 8 of those states where any outside oversight for members of the legislature is lumped in with the responsibilities of the secretary of state or attorney general.

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What, if any, ethics agency exists in the state?

None.

If the above agency does not oversee legislators, is legislative oversight defined in statute?

Yes. Arizona has the House Ethics Committee and the Senate Ethics Committee, which is enabled by Arizona Revised Statute 38-519. Each committee consists of five members, not more than three on each can be from the same political party.
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/38/00519.htm

Are there state statutes that address ethical conduct for legislators?

Yes. Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 38, Chapter 3, Article 8, “Conflict of Interest of Officers and Employees” and Article 8.1, “Standards of Conduct for Members of the State Legislature” apply to legislators.
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/38/title38.htm

When were the ethics statutes enacted?

1968

Where do legislators file outside interest disclosures?

Arizona Secretary of State, Election Services Division. See Info Resources
http://www.sosaz.com/election/

Where do legislators file campaign finance disclosures?

Arizona Secretary of State, Election Services Division
http://www.sosaz.com/election/

Where are lobbying disclosures filed?

Arizona Secretary of State, Election Services Division
http://www.sosaz.com/election/

Note: Some information provided by the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws’ “Ethics Update” 2000. For more information or to purchase the reference, visit www.cogel.org.