Senator Wendy Rogers introduced SB 1054 in response to repeated abuses of emergency powers by city councils. Emergency declarations were never meant to be used as a workaround to avoid public debate or bypass voters.
SB 1054 places limits on how long and under what conditions emergency powers can be exercised. It restores checks and balances that prevent local governments from ruling indefinitely by decree.
Communities like Payson have experienced firsthand how emergency declarations can be stretched far beyond genuine crises. This bill puts guardrails back in place.
Wendy Rogers introduced SB 1054 because constitutional government depends on consent and accountability, not permanent emergency rule.
Bill Info: https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2R/summary/S.1054GOV_STRIKERMEMO.DOCX.htm