Senators are considering legislation that would tighten absence rules for several state entities, including the Legislature. Photo: by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images
By Camryn Sanchez || Arizona Capitol Times January 12, 2023
Senators are considering legislation that would tighten absence rules for several state entities, including the Legislature.
Last session, Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, asked the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate rules around absences, suggesting changes so lawmakers who don’t attend meetings will be penalized.
The idea was inspired by Sen. Juan Mendez, D-Tempe, who did not come to the floor in-person since the onslaught of the Covid pandemic in March of 2020, citing concern about catching the virus. Mendez’s wife Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe, also didn’t come to work in person last session.
Shope’s complaint cited Mendez as the reason. No parallel action took place in the House regarding Salman, but the change Republicans are now considering would affect both bodies and several other governmental entities.
The Senate and House have their own chamber rules, but the guidelines on absence are written into state statute.
