HB 2303 Summary

• Amends Arizona Revised Statutes section 48-5802 to require voter approval for establishing public health services districts beginning January 1, 2010, instead of allowing county board unanimous vote.

• Requires county boards to submit district formation questions to qualified electors of the county, with approval by majority vote needed to establish a district covering the entire county including cities and towns.

• Districts formed by voter approval must maintain county public health expenditures at no less than 50% of the county's average general fund public health expenditures from the three fiscal years preceding the election.

• Allows districts established by unanimous board vote through December 31, 2009 to maintain a higher spending floor of 60% of average expenditures from the three prior fiscal years.

• Applies the voter approval requirement retroactively from and after December 31, 2009.