The practice of construction companies donating to local bond election campaigns in Arizona may soon be significantly limited, if a state legislator has anything to do with it.
Republican Representative Laurin Hendrix has introduced a bill that would put a cap on donations of more than $1,000 for companies contributing to any election where a bond with a dollar worth of more than $25 million is on the ballot.
That legislation, officially called HB 2088, sets limits on such contributions “made by specified individuals or organizations in support of a bond,” according to an analysis of the bill presented by the Arizona House of Representatives.
Any contractor contribution above the $1,000 level, continues the analysis, would automatically disqualify that contractor from bidding on a contract funded by the successful passage of the election bond.
The legislation, which is now under review in the House Rules Committee, specifically prohibits “an individual, corporation, partnership, association, or any other organization,” from bidding on such contracts.
In an interview with Phoenix radio station KJZZ, Hendrix said his legislation is designed to fill a void due to an absence of conflict-of-interest laws regarding such contributions. “There’s nothing unethical, nothing illegal about it,” he said of such contributions currently, “because there are no rules.”
The Arizona Legislature is meeting in session until April 20.
By Garry Boulard
