Arizona Uniform Laws Commission

Revision Date: 
Wednesday, September 12, 2018

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Arizona Uniform Laws Commission

Formerly Arizona Commission on Uniform State Laws

Authority

The Arizona Uniform Laws Commission was reestablished in 2017. Current authority is found at A.R.S. §41-151.25.

Function

The Arizona Uniform Laws Commission reviews the annual recommendations of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and recommends adoption of uniform laws that would be appropriate for Arizona to the Governor and Legislature. The National Conference meets annually to discuss uniformity among laws in the 50 states and to recommend changes that would achieve uniformity among the states. The Commission is authorized to participate in national meetings.

History

The Arizona Commission on Uniform State Laws (Commission) was codified in Arizona’s Civil Code of 1913 at sections 129 through 132 and in the Revised Code 1928, sections 3220 through 3221.

In 1953, the Legislature amended the Revised Code 1928, providing for a three member Commission, established to investigate subjects that would be appropriate to develop as uniform legislation throughout the 50 states. The Commission was authorized to confer with uniform laws commissions in other states and to submit recommendations to the Governor and Legislature regarding adoption of uniform legislation suitable for Arizona. The Commission was also authorized to join the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and to attend annual meetings. The 1953 measure included an appropriation of $1,500 to cover expenses related to participating in activities and meetings of the National Conference. See Laws 1953, Chapter 105.

Laws 1962, Chapter 83 changed the terms of Commissioners from two years to six years and in addition to reimbursement of actual expenses, provided the members compensation of $20 per day for meetings. Compensation was standardized throughout statute by Laws 1970, Chapter 204 and the specific dollar amount of compensation was deleted.

Laws 1972, Chapter 192, Sections 21 and 22 and required the Commission to coordinate activities with and provide recommendations regarding adoption of uniform laws to the Arizona Legislative Council. The measure also renumbered the statutory sections as A.R.S. §§ 41-1306 and 41-1307.

Laws 2007, Chapter 259 repealed the Commission.

In July 2007, Governor Napolitano issued an executive order reestablishing the Arizona Uniform State Laws Commission with essentially the same responsibilities as it had prior to being repealed. The order cited the benefits of the work of the uniform laws commissions nationally and at the state level and explained the Commission had been defunded and repealed as part of the 2007 budget. The Commission was reestablished with four members who would serve without compensation but would be eligible for reimbursement of expenses. See Executive Order 2007-16.

Laws 2017, Chapter 223 recodified the Arizona Uniform Laws Commission at A.R.S. §41-151.25, consisting of four members to terms of six years. Commission responsibilities are essentially the same as outlined in the 2007 executive order. The Secretary of State is authorized to maintain membership on the Commission. A link to a current list of uniform acts prepared by the National Conference of Commissioners is required to be provided annually to the members of the Legislature.

Sources

 

Executive Order 2007-16 “Re-stablishing the Arizona Uniform State Laws Commission,” July 24, 2007.

Uniform Law Commission website