House Rules Committee recommends HB2051is constitutional; bill would require monthly question sessions with governor or lieutenant governor

House Bill 2051 would require that, beginning in 2027, the governor or the lieutenant governor appear before the Legislature once a month to answer questions from six legislators.

Rules attorney Holder told the House Rules Committee the Arizona Constitution allows the Legislature to prescribe additional duties for executive officers. "House Bill 2051 requires that beginning in 2027, the governor or the lieutenant governor must appear before the legislature once a month to answer questions from 6 legislators," Holder said. She added the office of lieutenant governor will be filled for the first time in the 2026 election and that Article V of the Arizona Constitution permits duties for executive officers to be prescribed by law.

The measure drew concerns from some members about separation of powers. Representative Mathis questioned whether calling the head of the executive branch before the Legislature could violate separation of powers, saying in part, "It seems like this bill would be similar to having the speaker stand for question time ... I just note that there is a distinction, and again it seems to me that there's no way this can't be a violation of separation of powers when you're calling the head of a separate branch before this body." Holder responded that the committee's legal analysis relied on the constitutional provision giving the Legislature authority to prescribe additional duties for executive offices.

The committee voted to recommend the bill is constitutional and in proper form. The roll call recorded individual votes (where given) of Representative Carbone voting Aye; Representative Contreras voting Nay; Representative Mathis voting Nay; Speaker Montenegro voting Aye; Representative Willoughby voting Aye; Vice Chairman Carter voting Aye; Chairman Hendricks voting Aye. The committee reported a tally of 5 ayes, 2 nays and 1 absent and recommended HB2051 is constitutional and in proper form.

The committee's recommendation is a legal-form and constitutionality finding by the Rules Committee staff and members; it is not final enactment of the bill. If the bill advances, further committee hearings and floor action would determine its statutory fate.