HB2046 - 492R

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

Section 1. Section 41-835.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE41-835.01. Definitions

In this article, unless the context otherwise requires, :

1. "Board" means the state board on geographic and historic names.

2. "Geographic features" means mountains, canyons, gulches, streams, streambeds or channels whether flowing or dry, natural bridges, natural lakes, natural monuments, mesas, deserts, forests, springs, water holes, cliffs, chasms and other similar natural objects, places or things.

3. "Places of historical significance" or "Historic place" means objects, places or things that are associated with or named after people, places or events of historical significance, including artificial bridges, dams, artificial lakes, parks, mining districts, artificial monuments, roads, trails or other similar artificial objects, places or things. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Section 41-835.03, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE41-835.03. Powers and duties

A. The board shall:

1. Receive and evaluate all proposals for changes in or additions to names of geographic features and places of historical significance in this state and after this evaluation designate the most appropriate and acceptable names and spelling of these names for use in maps and other official governmental documents.

2. Receive and evaluate all proposals for naming geographic features in this state for which no generally accepted name is or has been in use and after this evaluation designate a name for use in maps and other official governmental documents.

3. Cooperate with political subdivisions of this state to eliminate the duplication of the names of geographic features that are not of historical significance.

4. Assist and cooperate with the United States board of geographic names in matters relating to names of geographic features and places in this state.

5. Maintain a list of advisers who have expertise in this state's history, geography or culture and consult with those advisers in evaluating proposals.

6. Designate one or more members to act as the state representative to the western states geographic names council.

B. The board may:

1. Adopt rules for the orderly conduct of business.

2. Initiate proposals for changes in or additions to geographic or historic names in this state. Any proposal initiated by the board shall be evaluated in accordance with the procedures prescribed under section 41‑835.04.

C. Notwithstanding any other law, the board shall not:

1. Change street and road names for the purpose of uniformity and it shall not.

2. Name scenic or historical highways.

3. Designate a name for a geographic feature that commemorates any person until that person has been deceased at least five years. END_STATUTE

Sec. 3. Section 41-835.04, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE41-835.04. Changes in or additions of geographic features or places of historical significance; submission of proposal; consideration; action; notice

A. A person, a group or an agency of federal, state or local government may propose a change in or the addition of any geographic feature or place of historic name historical significance within this state by submitting it and supporting information to the board for evaluation and recommendation.

B. On receipt of a proposal, together with sufficient supporting information, the board shall:

1. Place the proposal on the agenda for consideration at its next meeting.

2. Give appropriate notice to persons and groups that are affected by the proposal or might have an interest in it.

3. Provide opportunities for public comment.

4. Conduct research and field investigations as it deems necessary.

C. When the board takes action on a proposal, it shall notify the person, group or agency that submitted the proposal and shall transmit the official recommendation of geographic names to the United States board of geographic names. The names approved by the board shall be filed with the secretary of state and the clerk of the board of supervisors in the appropriate county. END_STATUTE

Sec. 4. Section 41-835.05, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE41-835.05. Use of names chosen

When the board designates a name for a geographic feature or place of historical significance within this state, the name is the official name for the geographic feature or historic place and shall be used in and on all maps, records, documents and other publications issued by this state or its departments and political subdivisions. END_STATUTE

Sec. 5. Section 41-836, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE41-836. Restriction on changing historical name

It is unlawful for a public officer, department, agency or employee to change and record in writing or otherwise in any public records, documents or papers of this state the name of a place of historical significance or mountain, canyon, gulch, stream, streambed or channel whether flowing or dry, mesa, desert, forest, spring, water hole, bridge either natural or artificial, cliff, chasm, dam, lake either natural or artificial, park, mining district, monument either natural or artificial, road, trail or other natural or artificial geographic feature in this state unless the change has first been approved by the board. END_STATUTE

Sec. 6. Repeal

Section 41-3010.05, Arizona Revised Statutes, is repealed.

Sec. 7. Title 41, chapter 27, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-3020.05, to read:

START_STATUTE41-3020.05. State board on geographic and historic names; termination July 1, 2020

A. The state board on geographic and historic names terminates on July 1, 2020.

B. Title 41, chapter 4.1, article 3 is repealed on January 1, 2021.END_STATUTE

Sec. 8. Purpose

Pursuant to section 41‑2955, subsection B, Arizona Revised Statutes, the legislature continues the state board on geographic and historic names to ensure that the historical record of this state is protected and preserved.

Sec. 9. Retroactivity

Sections 6 and 7 of this act are effective retroactively to July 1, 2010.