Assigned to GOV FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to GOV FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
Purpose
Establishes a memorial commemorating the Buffalo Soldiers in Wesley Bolin Plaza.
Background
The 9th and l0th Cavalries and the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments of Buffalo Soldiers arrived in Arizona in the l890’s. The Fort Huachuca Buffalo Soldiers distinguished themselves in the Spanish American War and the charge up San Juan Hill. They were part of the Mexican Expedition into Mexico and were sent to multiple locations in Arizona to guard the Arizona borders during the Mexican Revolution. The 92nd and 93rd Infantry Division of Buffalo Soldiers also served at Fort Huachuca during WWII.
A memorial may be placed in Wesley Bolin Plaza if a prior legislative act authorizes the memorial. Upon legislative authorization, statute requires: 1) the proponents of the memorial to submit a concept to the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA); 2) ADOA reviews the concept and determine the most appropriate location; 3) ADOA submits its review and recommendations to the Legislative Governmental Mall Commission (Commission); 4) the Commission and ADOA will approve design, dimensions, location, maintenance requirements, the minimum dollar amount for deposit in the State Monument and Memorial Repair Fund (Fund), and language for the memorial; 5) that the proponents of the monument or memorial enter into a contract with the ADOA specifying the conditions of final design, dimensions, location, artists, contractors and subcontractors, the minimum dollar amount required for deposit in the Fund, and that all employees for the project are insured and that this state is indemnified against any liability. Any approved monument or memorial must be completed and dedicated within two years after the effective date of the authoring legislative act (A.R.S. § 41-1363).
Public monies are not authorized to be used for the costs of creating and developing a memorial. All fund-raising and contracts for artistic design and construction of the memorial are the sole responsibility of the memorials proponents (A.R.S. § 41-1363).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Authorizes ADOA to provide for the placement of a memorial dedicated to the Buffalo Soldiers in Wesley Bolin Plaza.
2. Prohibits the state from facilitating fund-raising or establishing a state fund for the deposit of monies.
3. Assigns responsibility of all fund-raising and contracts for artistic design and construction of the memorial to the proponents.
4. Repeals this authority on October 1, 2021.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 12, 2018
JO/MG/lat