Arizona Senate

The Arizona Senate is part of the Arizona Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Arizona. The Senate consists of 30 members representing an equal amount of constituencies across the state, with each district having average populations of 219,859 (2009 figures). Members serve two-year terms with term limits, limiting Senators to four terms (a total of eight years). Members of the Republican Party are currently in the majority in the Senate.

As with the Arizona House of Representatives, members to the Senate are elected from the same legislative districts as House members, however one Senator represents the constituency, while for the House there are two Representatives per district. This districting system is similar to those of the Idaho and Washington State Senate. In political science, this type of legislative district is called a multi-member district.

Like other upper houses of state and territorial legislatures and the federal U.S. Senate, the Senate can confirm or reject gubernatorial appointments to the state cabinet, commissions and boards.

The Senate convenes in the adjacent legislative chambers at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix.

Leadership of the Senate

Arizona, along with Oregon, Maine and Wyoming, is one of the four U.S. states to have abolished the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the nominal senate president in many states. As a result, the Senate elects its own presiding officer, the President of the Senate, who presides over the body, appoints members to all of the Senate's committees and to joint committees, and may create other committees and subcommittees if desired. The Senate President also appoints a President pro tempore, who serves for the duration of a session of the legislature, to preside in his absence, and may appoint a temporary President pro tempore in the absence of the President and President pro tempore.^[1]

The current President of the Senate is Republican Steve Pierce of District 1 (Prescott), who replaced the recalled Russell Pearce.^[2] The Senate Majority Leader is Andy Biggs of District 22 (Gilbert), who replaced Scott Bundgaard of District 4 (Phoenix) following his removal for a personal scandal.^[3] The Senate Minority Leader is David Schapira of District 17 (Tempe).^[4]

Leadership information

Current composition

Current members, 2011-2013

See also

• Arizona State Capitol
• Arizona Legislature
• Arizona House of Representatives
• List of Representatives and Senators of Arizona Legislature by Districts

References

External links

• Arizona State Senate official government website
• Billhop - Arizona legislative wiki
• Project Vote Smart - State Senate of Arizona