AZ HB2616

Requires public officers of a public agency who have a personal or professional relationship with a person filing a legal claim against that agency to disclose the relationship in official records and recuse themselves from voting or participating in the claim.

Mandates that public agencies refer any legal claims filed by their own public officers to an independent risk management claims adjuster from a state-approved registry to investigate and negotiate settlement.

Allows the public agency to deduct the cost of hiring the independent claims adjuster from any settlement amount, with this deducted cost not awarded to the claimant.

Prohibits a public agency from increasing a settled claim amount unless the increase is approved by a vote of qualified electors at a special or general election.

Directs the Department of Administration to establish and maintain a list of state-approved independent risk management claims adjusters through administrative rule.