Mayor and Council oppose several state bills and authorize participation in litigation challenging executive order on birthright citizenship

Mayor and Council on Jan. 22 received an update from state and federal government relations staff and took two formal votes: to oppose several state bills and to authorize the city attorney to join the Arizona Attorney General’s litigation challenging a presidential executive order purporting to eliminate birthright citizenship.

Bills under review: City government relations staff flagged Senate Bill 1013, which would require a two‑thirds council vote to approve municipal fee or tax increases; House Bill 2099, which would direct the governor and attorney general to enforce federal immigration laws; and House Bill 2062, which would require use of sex‑based terminology in separated facilities. Staff recommended opposition to bills that would preempt municipal authority or conflict with the city’s legislative agenda.

Council action — opposition: The council voted to register opposition to the listed bills and to continue tracking bills that affect municipal functions and equity protections. The motion carried unanimously.

Legal action on birthright citizenship executive order: The city attorney reported that Arizona Attorney General has filed a challenge to a presidential executive order related to birthright citizenship and asked for direction to participate as an amicus in that litigation to support the AG’s challenge. Council moved, seconded and unanimously authorized the City Attorney to join and participate, including as an amicus, to support the constitutional challenge to the executive order (noting the 14th Amendment basis for birthright citizenship).

Ending: The manager and council noted the fluid legislative calendar and that staff will return with more updates as the legislature proceeds; the mayor also briefed the council on recent congressional outreach in Washington, D.C.