The new bill, authored by State Rep. Tsosie in the Arizona House, seeks to authorize citywide special elections for certain small cities to approve a transaction privilege tax, according to the Arizona State House.
The bill, introduced as HB2946 on June 11, during the first regular session of the 57th Legislature, was formally listed with the short title: ‘city election; transaction privilege tax’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill authorizes a citywide special election in certain small cities in Arizona, with populations under 10,000, located in counties with populations below 150,000, to approve the levy of a transaction privilege tax. The election can be held on either March 10 or May 19, 2026, and applies to cities where such a tax, originally approved by voters in 2020, is set to expire on or before July 15, 2026. The ballot must state the tax rate, which is to match the rate authorized in 2020. This legislation automatically repeals on Dec. 31, 2027.
Since the beginning of the session, Tsosie has proposed another 13 bills, with one of them being adopted.
Tsosie graduated from Navajo Technical College in 2014 with a BS and again in 2016 from Northern Arizona University with a BA.
Tsosie, a Democrat, was elected to the Arizona State House in 2022 to represent the state’s 6th House District, replacing previous state representative Walter Blackman.
In Arizona, the legislative process begins when a bill is introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. It is then assigned to one or more committees for discussion and possible amendment. If approved by committee, the bill proceeds to floor debate and voting in both chambers. If both chambers pass the bill, it is sent to the governor, who may sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature. The Arizona Legislature convenes annually in regular session starting the second Monday in January. Lawmakers introduce hundreds of bills each session, though only a portion make it into law. You can learn more about the legislative process on the Arizona State Legislature website.
Bills Introduced by Your Representatives in Arizona House During 1st Regular Session of the 57th Legislative Session
| Sponsor(s) | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myron Tsosie | HB2946 | 06/11/2025 | The bill authorizes a citywide special election in certain small cities in Arizona, with populations under 10,000, located in counties with populations below 150,000, to approve the levy of a transaction privilege tax. The election can be held on either March 10 or May 19, 2026, and applies to cities where such a tax, originally approved by voters in 2020, is set to expire on or before July 15, 2026. The ballot must state the tax rate, which is to match the rate authorized in 2020. This legislation automatically repeals on Dec. 31, 2027. |
| Mae Peshlakai | HB2924 | 02/10/2025 | This bill amends Arizona’s consumer fraud statutes to prohibit a wide array of deceptive business practices in trade or commerce. It makes it unlawful to cause confusion about the source or quality of goods, make false claims about a product’s origin, characteristics, or benefits, and falsely advertise goods as new or as having specific qualities they do not possess. It also bans false statements about price reductions, coercive sales tactics, misleading claims about recyclability, and requires accurate representation of terms regarding rebates or prizes. Furthermore, the bill restricts requiring social security numbers for transactions except under specific conditions and prohibits disclosing more than the last four digits of credit card numbers on receipts starting Dec. 31, 2025, with specific provisions for electronic devices in service as of March 1, 2025. The bill does not apply to health or dental services and permits the attorney general to adopt rules to enforce these regulations. |
| Myron Tsosie | HB2854 | 02/10/2025 | The bill introduces provisions for the issuance of special license plates for the Hopi Tribe, contingent on a $32,000 payment to the Arizona Department of Transportation by Dec. 31, 2025. The Hopi Tribe plates will feature a design approved by the department and may be combined with personalized plate requests for an additional fee. The revenue from the $25 special plate fee will be split, with $8 allocated to plate administration and $17 as a donation to the Hopi Tribe’s Department of Public Safety and Emergency Services. These donations are earmarked for road maintenance and traffic control on non-state highways within the Hopi reservation. Additionally, the bill outlines amendments related to state highway funds and defines authorized uses for revenues obtained from special plate administration fees. |
| Myron Tsosie | HB2853 | 02/10/2025 | The bill establishes the tribal community college operations fund, which consists of legislative appropriations, gifts, grants, devises, and other monetary contributions from lawful sources. The fund, administered by the Arizona Department of Administration, is designated to support the operational expenses of tribal community colleges in Arizona, including costs related to establishing and offering instructional programs. The fund is exempt from laws requiring lapsing of appropriations, ensuring continuous support. Additionally, the state treasurer is authorized to invest and manage the fund’s monies, with earned interest being credited back to the fund. The bill appropriates $13.3 million from the state general fund annually for fiscal years 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28 to the established fund. |
| Myron Tsosie | HB2852 | 02/10/2025 | This bill amends sections of the Arizona Revised Statutes related to nonoperating identification licenses and driver licenses. It specifies that nonoperating identification licenses, which are issued to individuals without a valid driver’s license or with suspended driving privileges, are intended solely for identification and cannot be used for operating a vehicle. The bill allows applicants to include a post office box address on these licenses and, for veterans and enrolled members of Indian tribes, includes distinguishing marks identifying their status. Fees for these identification licenses are waived for individuals over 65, disabled social security recipients, veterans without a permanent residence, homeless veterans, and children in state custody. The bill also mandates additional identification features for licenses issued to minors, including a distinct marking to indicate those under the legal drinking age, with emancipated minors having an additional designation. The effective date of the revisions is not specified in the bill. |
| Myron Tsosie | HB2773 | 02/06/2025 | This bill amends Arizona’s liquor license regulations by altering the criteria and processes for issuing, transferring, and maintaining liquor licenses. It introduces provisions for the sale and delivery of spirituous liquors through various methods, such as online or phone orders, with detailed labeling and age verification requirements. The bill allows licensees with off-sale privileges to offer consumer tastings of wines and specifies operational limits for liquor delivery services. Additionally, it mandates that a liquor license must be requalified if the licensed location is inactive for three years, unless the nonuse is due to uncontrollable circumstances. Importantly, it prohibits issuing new licenses to locations surrounded by an Indian reservation, with specifics on what constitutes being “surrounded.” The bill also clarifies that certain business restructurings do not constitute transfers or acquisitions of control of a license. |
| Myron Tsosie | HB2772 | 02/06/2025 | The bill amends Arizona’s tax laws to allow a credit against transaction privilege taxes for taxes paid to an Indian tribe on the same tax base during the same taxable period. To qualify for this credit, the tribal tax must be levied on the gross proceeds of sales or gross income from business in Arizona. The credit cannot exceed the amount of Arizona’s transaction privilege taxes due, minus the taxpayer’s proportionate share of distributions to municipalities and counties. Taxpayers must claim the credit as specified by the department on the return form, and it is only available if the tax due under this article is paid before becoming delinquent. The term “tribe” is defined to include any federally recognized tribe, nation, band, or community of Indians that impose such taxes. |
| Mae Peshlakai | HB2710 | 01/29/2025 | This bill appropriates $15 million from Arizona’s state general fund for fiscal year 2025-26 to the Department of Health Services. The funds are intended for distribution to tribal governments to open or reopen tribal assisted living facilities and nursing homes across Arizona. The allocation of the funds will be proportional, ensuring support for such facilities in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state. However, specific allocations include a minimum of $1.5 million each for the Hopi Tribe and the Navajo Nation to aid in their respective regions. |
| Mae Peshlakai | HB2709 | 01/29/2025 | This bill appropriates $5 million from the state general fund in fiscal year 2025-26 to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The allocated funds are designated for the Navajo Division of Transportation to support the installation of a box culvert for the Pueblo Colorado Wash crossing in the Cornfields Chapter. |
| Myron Tsosie | HB2699 | 01/28/2025 | This bill allocates funds from the state general fund for fiscal year 2025-26 to the Arizona Department of Transportation for distribution to the Navajo division of transportation. A total of $600,000 is designated for the completion of pavement at the Ganado senior citizens center and veterans building, $1.7 million is assigned to the development of a turning lane at milepost 441 on State Route 264, and $340,000 is set aside for materials and construction costs for the Ganado waterline project. These appropriations are exempt from the usual lapse provisions of Arizona statutes, allowing for extended use of the allocated funds beyond the typical deadline. |
| Myron Tsosie | HB2698 | 01/28/2025 | This bill appropriates $3.7 million from the state general fund for the fiscal year 2025-26 to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The funds are designated for the Navajo Division of Transportation to carry out road improvements benefiting the Piñon Unified School District. |
| Myron Tsosie | HB2642 | 01/16/2025 | This bill appropriates $3.9 million from the state general fund for the fiscal year 2025-26 to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The funds are designated for distribution to the Navajo Division of Transportation to finance the N351 Road improvement project in the Tolikan chapter. |
| Myron Tsosie | HB2641 | 01/16/2025 | This bill appropriates $4 million from the state general fund for the fiscal year 2025-26 to the Arizona Department of Transportation. These funds are designated for distribution to the Navajo Division of Transportation specifically for the construction of the N9054 bridge. |
| Mae Peshlakai | HB2556 | 01/16/2025 | The bill amends section 4-203 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, related to liquor licenses. It outlines conditions for issuing and transferring spirituous liquor licenses, including criteria for applicant capability and community convenience. The bill specifies the requirements for license issuance, such as location, transferability, and notification procedures for changes in ownership or control. It establishes rules for the sale and delivery of liquors, emphasizing age verification. The bill introduces a restriction on issuing new licenses to locations entirely surrounded by Indian reservations in Arizona. Additionally, penalties for nonuse of licenses and conditions under which a license reverts to the state are clarified. |
| Mae Peshlakai | HB2555 | 01/16/2025 | This bill appropriates $7 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2025-26 to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The funds are designated for distribution to the Navajo Division of Transportation specifically for the Ganado traffic light project. This project aims to improve traffic management and safety in the Ganado area by installing a new traffic light. |
| Mae Peshlakai | HB2554 | 01/16/2025 | This bill allocates $5 million from the Arizona state general fund for the 2025-26 fiscal year to the Department of Economic Security. The funds are designated for distribution to tribal governments within Arizona to increase the number of domestic violence shelter beds. The appropriation is exempt from the usual requirement that unused funds must revert back to the state, as outlined in section 35-190 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. |
| Mae Peshlakai | HB2428 | 01/16/2025 | The bill appropriates $10 million from the state general fund for each of the fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to the governor’s office on tribal relations. These funds are designated for distribution to San Carlos Apache College specifically to support remedial education for students enrolled in classes at the college. The allocation aims to enhance educational outcomes by providing funding to address educational gaps and support student learning at San Carlos Apache College. |
| Mae Peshlakai | HB2427 | 01/16/2025 | This bill appropriates $10 million from the state general fund for each of the fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to the governor’s office on tribal relations. These funds are designated for distribution to Tohono O’odham Community College to support remedial education for students enrolled in classes at the college. The appropriations aim to enhance educational opportunities and support academic success for students requiring additional educational assistance. |
| Mae Peshlakai | HB2337 | 01/16/2025 | This bill repeals sections 33-1329 and 33-1416 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, which relate to rent regulation. By eliminating these sections, the bill removes any existing state-level restrictions or guidelines pertinent to rent control or housing rent adjustments. The intent appears to grant local authorities more autonomy or possibly remove any overarching state limitations on the ability to establish rent regulation policies. The language of the bill does not specify a date for when these repeals would take effect, leaving the timing for implementation potentially subject to further legislative action or clarification. |
| Mae Peshlakai | HB2336 | 01/16/2025 | This bill requires the Arizona Department of Transportation to issue Native American veteran special license plates, contingent upon receiving $32,000 by Dec. 31, 2025, for implementation costs. The individual or entity providing the funds will design the plate, pending department approval. Fees for the plates include a $25 charge, with $8 designated as an administration fee and $17 as an annual donation to a new Native American Veteran special plate fund. The fund will reimburse the initial design and implementation payment and allocate money to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting Native American military members and their families through escort services, community projects, and awareness events. The effective date is dependent on the fulfillment of funding conditions. |
| Myron Tsosie | HB2239 | 01/15/2025 | The bill appropriates $4 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2025-26 to the Arizona Department of Transportation, which will allocate the funds to the Navajo Department of Transportation. The funding is designated for engineering services and early-stage construction as part of the N9073 Rockfall/Roadway project. The appropriation is exempt from provisions related to the lapsing of appropriations, according to section 35-190 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. |
| Myron Tsosie | HB2238 | 01/15/2025 | This bill appropriates $6.1 million from the state general fund for the fiscal year 2025-26 to the Arizona Department of Transportation. These funds are designated for transfer to the Navajo Department of Transportation to support the N9003 bridge project in Greasewood Springs. The appropriation is exempt from the provisions of section 35-190 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, which pertains to the lapsing of appropriations, ensuring that the allocated funds will not expire and remain available until used for the project. |
| Myron Tsosie | HB2237 | 01/15/2025 | This bill appropriates $3.6 million from the Arizona state general fund for the fiscal year 2025-26 to the Department of Transportation. The funds are designated for distribution to the Navajo Nation Oil & Gas Company to aid in the construction of the Blue Gap fueling center and convenience store. Additionally, the appropriation is exempt from the state’s standard provisions concerning the lapsing of appropriations, ensuring that the allocated funds remain available beyond the typical time constraints if not immediately expended. |
| Myron Tsosie | HB2236 | 01/15/2025 | This bill allocates $3.5 million from the state general fund for the fiscal year 2025-26 to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The funds are intended to be distributed to the Fort Defiance chapter of the Navajo Nation for the installation of solar streetlights along BIA Routes N110, N7, and N12 in Fort Defiance. The purpose of the bill is to provide improved lighting in these areas through sustainable energy solutions, potentially enhancing safety and visibility on these routes. |
