Published: 03.05.2004
House bill on property taxes
A House panel agreed Thursday to protect the elderly or disabled from eviction
from their homes solely because they cannot afford to pay taxes.
Current law allows investors to pay unpaid taxes and get a lien on property.
After a certain number of years the property can be claimed if the back taxes
are not paid.
HB 2673 would prohibit liens from being issued on homes owned as a primary residence
by those at least 65 or older who are certified as disabled. Rep. Lucy Mason,
R-Prescott, said the change is necessary to protect these people from becoming
homeless.
The vote by the Federal Mandates and Property Rights Committee came over the
objection of some county officials who said taxes not paid by these people would
have to be passed along to others. They also said there are other programs available
to help eligible seniors, widows, widowers and the disabled.
Senators give nod to 80 mph limit
State senators gave tentative approval Thursday to a plan that could set the
speed limit on some rural highways at 80 miles per hour.
Interstate highways are posted at 55 mph in some urban areas and 65 mph nearby.
SB 1221 says that in rural areas - where the top speed is 75 mph - the Department
of Transportation could boost that to 80 if agency studies determine that higher
speed is appropriate.
A final vote will send the bill to the House.
House reviews voter initiatives
The House gave preliminary approval Thursday to a constitutional amendment that
would let lawmakers cut voter-mandated programs if the dedicated funding source
is insufficient.
HCR 2011 is aimed at measures like Proposition 204, approved by voters in 2000,
to expand eligibility for state-paid health care. The additional revenues from
tobacco taxes have not been enough to cover the cost, forcing funds to be diverted
from other programs.
The measure, which eventually would have to be approved by voters, also spells
out that any future initiatives for expanded government services must also include
a new source of revenues other than the state general fund.
Health directives online directory
Without dissent the House voted Thursday to let the Secretary of State's Office
establish an online directory of health care directives.
HB 2172 is designed to have an optional central repository for documents such
as living wills and health care powers of attorney, which people prepare ahead
of time to say how they want care to be provided if they cannot make the decisions
themselves. Documents submitted to this central registry would have to be notarized.
A final vote will send the measure to the Senate.
Statewide smoking ban
Efforts to enact a statewide ban on smoking in businesses have hit a snag.
HB 2629 got a hearing Thursday before the House Health Committee. But it could
not get a vote because it has not been approved by another panel to which it
was assigned.
The proposal by Rep. Linda Lopez, D-Tucson, would ban smoking in workplaces
and businesses open to the public. Business interests say that is an infringement
on their rights and that those who want smoke-free environments can go elsewhere.
But proponents say that those who work in these bars, restaurants and other
sites have no choice but to be exposed to the secondhand smoke.
Lopez hopes to resurrect the measure elsewhere later this legislative session.
Homeowners' groups
The House voted Thursday to keep homeowner associations from barring political
signs.
HB 2478 is designed to address complaints by some residents that rules adopted
by their associations infringed on the First Amendment rights to support or
oppose candidates or issues. The measure says association rules cannot bar such
signs for 45 days before an election as long as the signs comply with other
local laws.
A roll-call vote is required to send the bill to the Senate.
Obscuring license plate numbers
State representatives moved Thursday to make it harder for motorists to thwart
photo radar and red-light cameras.
Communities using the cameras send citations to errant motorists based on license
plate numbers. HB 2133 would make it illegal to use any sort of covering that
obscures the plate numbers and other information.
The legislation is aimed at halting the use of various plastic covers specifically
designed to make plates difficult to read. A final vote is necessary before
sending the bill to the Senate.
Pima County open space
Pima County would be forced to have separate votes on an upcoming bond election
to buy land for open space under the terms of legislation given preliminary
approval Thursday by the House.
Plans are for a single question on spending $174.3 million to buy up land. Some
of that is to help create a buffer zone around Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
but much is for other projects, including the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan.
HB 2538 would make it illegal to put a base preservation measure on the same
ballot question as other issues. Rep. Marian McClure, R-Tucson, sponsor of the
legislation, said she believes voters are more likely to support money for D-M
than other open space issues.
Names board reorganization
On a voice vote the House gave preliminary approval Thursday to revamping the
State Board on Geographic and Historic Names to remove the power from the governor
to name a majority of its members.
HB 2007 creates a new nine-member board appointed by various members of the
House and Senate. Rep. Phil Hanson, R-Peoria, said the change is necessary because
of the way Gov. Janet Napolitano pushed through renaming Squaw Peak in Phoenix
after Lori Piestewa, an Army soldier killed during the war with Iraq who is
believed to be the first American Indian woman soldier slain in combat.
The measure is contingent on voters' approving a parallel measure authorizing
the change.
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