PHOENIX — If you want to keep tabs on your lawmakers and bills, the Arizona Legislature’s website has a full rundown of proposed new laws, amendments to proposals, and the roll-call votes in committees and on the floor.
One function of the website allows people not only to watch hearings but even sign in to “testify” for or against measures, all without making the trek to the Capitol.
It starts at the main legislative home page: azleg.gov
On the main page is a calendar of events.
But the real detail starts under the “bills” menu. Here the new bills are listed by number, in batches of 50, divided between House and Senate bills.
Clicking on the specific bill presents several options, including an overview, the status of where it is in the process, and a documents button where you can see the introduced version and, as the session goes on, added amendments and changes.
There’s also a section called “RTS Current Bill Positions.” That’s a list of who has signed in for or against the measure, a feature that does not usually get filled until a bill is scheduled for a hearing.
Not sure of the bill number? Enter a keyword in the search.
So, for example, if you were to put in the word “marriage,” three bills already filed for the session would pop up: HB 2006 setting a minimum age to wed, HB 2031 which deals with what factors a judge considers in determining spousal maintenance in divorce, and HB 2075 dealing with orders of protection.
Also on that main page are links to the agendas of upcoming standing committees. That enables you to poke through what hearings are coming up and what bills are on that day’s agenda.
And what if you have something to say?
One option is to drive to the Capitol, sign in to speak and have your say. How long you might get depends on the whims of who is chairing the committee.
But there’s a less direct — and less cumbersome — method of putting in your two cents. And it goes to that RTS system, short for “request to speak.”
On the main legislative page is a pull down menu for legislative information, with the first option being that request to speak.
Clicking on that will result in a page asking you to sign in.
You will need to know the bill number or, at the very least, the name of the committee where it is scheduled to be heard.
But here’s the thing: You can register in support or opposed to a specific bill. And you can even explain why.
There is, however, no requirement that you actually come to the Capitol to testify. And whether you do or not, there is an option to simply sign in with a position but not request to speak.
In any case, your name and position is shared with the legislators on the committee and becomes part of the record.
You also can actually watch committee meetings and floor actions as they unfold.
The link is under the House button on the main page, then click on “live proceedings.” You will, however, need to know in which room the hearing is taking place, information that can come from the agenda.
Oh, on that prospect of contacting lawmakers directly, the main legislative page has office phone numbers and links to direct email under both the House and Senate member lists.
But if you’re not sure who represents you, there’s also a “find my legislator” button on both the House and Senate membership pages.
If that’s not an option, there’s one more ultimate fallback: The Legislature maintains a toll-free number of 1-800-352-8404.
