An Overview of Arizona Labor Bills

By Peter Cooper, California Labor Federation

Republicans in Arizona are on the attack against the labor movement. Following the waives of attacks on the labor movement that we are seeing across the nation, Arizona's Legislature has started the session with proposals intended to weaken unions by draining dues money. SB 1440 & HB 2322 would allow workers covered under collective bargaining contracts to only pay for the "actual cost of grievance representation." The political work that has traditionally been performed by the union would not be covered.

Link to SB 1440 bill language:
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/47leg/1r/bills/sb1440p%2Ehtm&DocType=B

Link to HB 2322 bill language:
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/47leg/1r/bills/hb2322p%2Ehtm&DocType=B

Film Tax Credit and Tax Incentive Bills Aim to Bring Production to State
SB 1346, authored by Senator Helen and others, is intended to bring more film production to the state by creating a tax credit for motion picture production investment in the Arizona.

If the base investment is more than $100,000 but less than or equal to $5 million, the credit is 10%; if the base investment is more than $5 million but less than $10 million, the credit is 15%; if the base investment is more than $10 million, the credit is 20% of the actual investment made by the taxpayer. Local labor requirements: In 2006, at least 25% of the cast and crew must be residents of the state, in 2007 this increases to 30%, and then in 2008 to 40%. See fact sheet below.

Link to SB 1346 bill language:
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/legtext/47leg/1r/bills/sb1346p%2Epdf

Link to SB 1346 fact sheet:
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/47leg/1r/summary/s%2E1346fin%2Dced%2Edoc%2Ehtm&DocType=S

SB 1347, also authored by Senator Helen, allows motion picture production companies to elect either an income tax credit

Link to SB 1347 bill language: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/47leg/1r/bills/sb1347p%2Ehtm&DocType=B

Link to SB 1347 fact sheet:
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/47leg/1r/summary/s%2E1347fin%2Dced%2Edoc%2Ehtm&DocType=S

Both of the above bills will be heard in the Commerce Committee on February 15th, and, if they pass, will be heard in the Fiscal Committee on February 17th.

Electrical Worker Licensing Bill
SB 1248 has been introduced by Senator Carolyn S Allen, Republican from the 8th District. The measure deals the registrar of contractors and electrical worker licensing. IAD2 is currently reviewing the legislation.

See the entire text at: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/legtext/47leg/1r/bills/sb1248p%2Ehtm&DocType=B

The Legislature runs 100 days and has until mid-April to wrap-up business, although they frequently go some weeks longer.

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