The Arizona Senate convened on Jan. 13 for its organizational session, formally seating newly elected senators, electing leadership and adopting temporary procedures to begin the 57th Legislature.

The credentials committee presented a certification of election results and its report was moved for adoption by Senator Janene (Janine) Shamp: "I move the adoption of the report," she said. The motion was approved, and the chamber moved to administer oaths to senators-elect.

Why it matters: organization and leadership votes set who controls the Senate agenda and committee assignments for the next two years. The Senate’s adoption of temporary rules and a suspension to allow bills to be read by number or short title will affect how quickly legislation can move through the chamber during the opening weeks of the session.

Most consequential actions taken at the session included the recorded unanimous ballot placing Susan Aceves as secretary of the Senate and the unanimous election of Warren Peterson as Senate president. Nominations were closed and the acting secretary was instructed to record a unanimous ballot in each case; the motions carried as announced on the floor.

The Senate adopted, on a motion, the rules from the 56th Legislature to govern the 57th “temporarily,” a standard organizational practice that the chamber approved without extended debate. The majority leader then asked the body to declare an emergency and suspend certain reading rules so that first- and second-reading bills could be read by number and short title only and third-reading bills by number and title only; the motion passed.

Members also voted to appoint a small committee to notify the governor that the Senate is organized and ready to receive communications; Senators Leila Austin, Timothy (Tim) Dunn, Catherine Miranda and Kevin Payne were named to that committee. The chief justice of the state’s highest court was invited to the chamber to administer the oath of office to senators-elect.

The president of the Senate read appointments to standing and statutory committees and the chamber recorded those committee assignments on the record. The reader listed committee chairs, vice chairs and members for appropriations, finance, judiciary and elections, natural resources, public safety and the other statutory and standing committees announced that day.

The session included the customary ceremonial remarks and introductions of guests but the Senate’s main recorded decisions were organizational: adopting the credentials report, electing leadership by recorded unanimous ballot, adopting temporary rules, suspending reading requirements to accelerate business and recording committee appointments.

Procedure and next steps: with the chamber organized and committee rosters in place, committees scheduled to meet the next day were announced. The Senate recessed to join the House for a joint session later that morning.

Votes at a glance:
- Adoption of credentials committee report — motion moved by Senator Janene (Janine) Shamp; outcome: adopted (ayes recorded; counts not specified in the record).
- Unanimous ballot recorded for Susan Aceves as secretary of the Senate — nomination and motion to close nominations and record a unanimous ballot carried; outcome: recorded as instructed.
- Unanimous ballot recorded for Warren Peterson as president of the Senate — nomination and motion to close nominations and record a unanimous ballot carried; outcome: recorded as instructed.
- Temporary adoption of the 56th Legislature rules to govern the 57th Legislature — motion carried.
- Emergency declaration/suspension to permit reading bills by number/short title (first and second reading) and by number/title (third reading) — motion carried.
- Appointment of a notifying committee to the governor (Senators Leila Austin, Tim Dunn, Catherine Miranda, Kevin Payne) — motion carried and committee appointed.

Ending: The chamber recessed after completing organizational business and recording committee appointments; the Senate scheduled committee meetings and adjourned to reconvene on Jan. 14 as announced on the floor.