SB 1037 Summary

• Establishes the Arizona Election and Ethics Commission as a six-member independent body with members appointed by the governor, statewide officials, and legislative leaders to serve four-year terms beginning January 2019.

• Grants the commission power to investigate and enforce campaign finance, financial disclosure, and ethics laws; issue advisory opinions; conduct hearings; and impose civil penalties up to $5,000 for violations of election and campaign finance statutes.

• Transfers duties from the secretary of state to the commission regarding investigation and enforcement of campaign finance laws for statewide candidates, legislative candidates, and ballot measure committees.

• Prohibits the commission from investigating election results, legislative qualification disputes, or judicial conduct; requires attorney general enforcement of commission orders and allows the commission to hire independent counsel.

• Terminates the commission on July 1, 2028, with Title 41, Chapter 4, Article 8 repealing on January 1, 2029.