freedom of speech monument; committee

Plain English Breakdown

Uncertainty remains about how the committee will choose individuals for the monument, and whether there will be sufficient private fundraising efforts to complete the project.

Freedom of Speech Monument; Committee

This bill establishes a committee to nominate individuals who have contributed to freedom of speech in Arizona for inclusion on a monument in the Governmental Mall.

What This Bill Does

• Establishes a Freedom of Speech Monument Committee with members from both houses of the legislature, the Supreme Court, and political parties.
• Requires the committee to meet when called by its chairperson.
• Nominates two individuals each year who have contributed to freedom of speech in Arizona for inclusion on the monument.
• Specifies that nominated individuals must be deceased for at least five years and were residents of Arizona.
• Prohibits using public money for the monument's placement, with proponents responsible for fundraising and construction.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Legislative Council
• Residents of Arizona who are chosen to be on the monument
• Committee members from both houses of the legislature and the Supreme Court

Terms To Know

Governmental Mall

A public space in Arizona where monuments or memorials can be placed after legislative approval.

Proponents

People who support and work to establish the monument.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how the committee will choose individuals for the monument.
• Public funds cannot be used, so the success of the project depends on private fundraising efforts.
• The authorization for the monument ends in September 2029.

Official Summary Text

SB1663 - 572R - Senate Fact Sheet

Assigned to
GOV������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� AS
PASSED BY COW

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Seventh
Legislature, Second Regular Session

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR
S.B. 1663

freedom of speech
monument; committee

Purpose

Authorizes the
Legislative Council to provide for the placement of a freedom of speech
monument in the Governmental Mall. Establishes the Freedom of Speech Monument
Committee (Committee) to nominate and approve two individuals each year to be
added to the freedom of speech monument.

Background

A monument or
memorial may only be located in the Governmental Mall after authorization by
the Legislature. After legislative authorization for construction, the
Legislative Council must review the concept submitted by proponents, determine
the most appropriate location and approve the final design. Before construction
of a monument or memorial, the proponents must enter into a contract with the
Legislative Council specifying the conditions of the design, dimensions and
location of the monument or memorial, a list of the artists, contractors that
will be employed, the minimum dollar amount required for deposit in the State
Monument and Memorial Repair Fund and required liability insurance. Any
approved monument or memorial must be completed and dedicated to the state
within two years of the effective date of the legislative act authorizing the
memorial. Public monies may not be used for the costs of creating and
developing a memorial. All fundraising and contracts for artistic design and
construction of the memorial are the sole responsibility of the memorial's
proponents (
A.R.S. � 41-1363
).

There is no
anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.

Provisions

1.

Authorizes the Legislative Council to provide for the placement of a
freedom of speech monument in the Government Mall.

2.

Establishes
the Committee, consisting of:

a)

the
President of the Senate, or their designee, who must serve as the chairperson
in even numbered years;

b)

the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, or their designee, who must serve as
the chairperson in odd-numbered years;

c)

the Senate
Majority Leader or their designee;

d)

the
House of Representatives Majority Leader or their designee;

e)

the
Senate Minority Leader or their designee;

f)

the
House of Representatives Minority Leader or their designee; and

g)

the
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or their designee.

3.

Requires the Committee to meet on the call of the chairperson.

4.

Requires the Committee to nominate and approve two individuals from
different political parties

each year to be
added to the freedom of speech monument for their contributions to preserving
freedom of speech in Arizona.

5.

Specifies
that an individual who is nominated must:

a)

have
been an Arizona resident; and

b)

be
deceased for at least five years.

6.

Prohibits the use of public monies for the cost of monument placement.

7.

Specifies that all fundraising and contracts for the artistic design and
construction of the memorial are the sole responsibility of the proponents of
the monument.

8.

Repeals the authorization for the freedom of speech monument on
September 30, 2029.

9.

Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Amendments Adopted by
Committee

�

Specifies that an individual who is nominated for the Committee
must have been an Arizona resident.

Amendments Adopted by
Committee of the Whole

�

Allows each member of the Committee to designate an individual to
serve in the member's place.

Senate Action

GOV�������� 2/18/26����� DPA������� 5-1-1

Prepared by Senate Research

February 26, 2026

AN/TR/ci

Current Bill Text

SB1663 - 572R - S Ver

Senate Engrossed

freedom of speech
monument; committee

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SENATE BILL 1663

AN
ACT

Amending title 41, chapter 7, article 12,
Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-1293; relating to the
legislature.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it
enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 41, chapter 7, article 12,
Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-1293, to read:

START_STATUTE
41-1293.

Freedom of speech monument committee; membership; duties

A. The freedom of speech monument
committee is established consisting of the following members:

1. The president of the senate
, or the president's designee, who shall serve as the chairperson of
the committee in even-numbered years.

2. The speaker of the house of representatives
, or the speaker's designee, who shall serve as the chairperson in odd-numbered
years.

3. The senate majority leader
or the majority leader's designee
.

4. The house of representatives
majority leader
or the majority leader's designee.

5. The senate minority leader
or the minority leader's designee.

6. The house of representatives
minority leader
or the minority leader's designee.

7. The chief justice of the supreme
court or the chief justice's designee.

B. The freedom of speech monument
committee shall nominate and approve two individuals from different political
parties each year to be added to the freedom of speech monument for their
contributions to preserving freedom of speech in this state.

C. Individuals who are nominated
pursuant to subsection B of this section must be deceased for at least five
years.

D. The committee shall meet on the
call of the chairperson.
END_STATUTE

Sec. 2.
Freedom of speech
monument; procedures; delayed repeal

A. Pursuant to section 41-1363,
subsection A, Arizona Revised Statutes, this act authorizes the legislative
council to provide for the placement of a freedom of speech monument in the
governmental mall.

B. The procedures
prescribed in section 41-1363, subsection B, Arizona Revised Statutes,
apply to the placement of the monument.

C. Public monies are not
authorized for the costs of the placement of the monument.� All fundraising and
contracts for artistic design and construction of the monument are the sole
responsibility of the proponents.� This state may not facilitate fundraising or
establish a state fund for the deposit of the monies.

D. This section is repealed
from and after September 30, 2029.