Bill Text: AZ SB1663 | 2026 | Fifty-seventh Legislature 2nd Regular | Engrossed
Bill Title: Freedom of speech monument; committee
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Engrossed) 2026-06-09 - House third reading FAILED voting: (19-35-6-0) [SB1663 Detail]
Download: Arizona-2026-SB1663-Engrossed.html
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House Engrossed Senate Bill
freedom of speech monument; committee |
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State of Arizona Senate Fifty-seventh Legislature Second Regular Session 2026
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SENATE BILL 1663 |
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AN ACT
Amending title 41, chapter 7, article 12, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-1293; relating to the legislature.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAG
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 41, chapter 7, article 12, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-1293, to read:
41-1293. Freedom of speech monument committee; membership; duties; nominations
A. The freedom of speech monument committee is established consisting of the following members:
1. The president of the senate, or the president's designee, who shall serve as the chairperson of the committee in even-numbered years.
2. The speaker of the house of representatives, or the speaker's designee, who shall serve as the chairperson in odd-numbered years.
3. The senate minority leader or the minority leader's designee.
4. The house of representatives minority leader or the minority leader's designee.
5. One member who is appointed by the governor.
B. The freedom of speech monument committee shall approve two individuals from different political parties from the nominees submitted to the committee pursuant to subsection E of this section each year to be added to the freedom of speech monument for their contributions to preserving freedom of speech in this state.
C. The committee may not consider INDIVIDUALS other than those submitted to the committee pursuant to subsection E of this section unless all of the members of the COMMITTEE vote to approve an INDIVIDUAL who is not originally NOMINATED.
D. Individuals who are nominated and approved pursuant to this section must have been deceased for at least five years.
E. The president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate minority leader, the house of representatives minority leader and the governor shall each nominate not more than two individuals each year for consideration for approval by the committee pursuant to subsection B of this section.
F. The committee shall meet on the call of the chairperson.
Sec. 2. Freedom of speech monument; procedures; delayed repeal
A. Pursuant to section 41-1363, subsection A, Arizona Revised Statutes, this act authorizes the legislative council to provide for the placement of a freedom of speech monument in the governmental mall.
B. The procedures prescribed in section 41-1363, subsection B, Arizona Revised Statutes, apply to the placement of the monument. Notwithstanding any other law, an individual depicted as part of the monument's design, if any, must have been deceased for at least five years.
C. Public monies are not authorized for the costs of the placement of the monument.� All fundraising and contracts for artistic design and construction of the monument are the sole responsibility of the proponents. This state may not facilitate fundraising or establish a state fund for the deposit of the monies.
D. This section is repealed from and after September 30, 2029.
