House Engrossed

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fourth Legislature

First Regular Session

2019

 

 

 

HOUSE BILL 2580

 

 

 

AN ACT

 

amending title 37, chapter 9, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 37-1309; appropriating monies; relating to nonnative vegetative species eradication.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


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

Section 1.  Title 37, chapter 9, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 37-1309, to read:

START_STATUTE37-1309.  Nonnative vegetative species eradication fund; department duties; grants; report

A.   The nonnative vegetative species eradication fund is established consisting of legislative appropriations for specific nonnative vegetative invasive species eradication projects.  Monies in the fund are subject to legislative appropriation and are exempt from the provisions of section 35-190 relating to lapsing of appropriations.  On notice from the state forester, the state treasurer shall invest and divest monies in the fund as provided in section 35-313 and monies earned from investment shall be credited to the fund.

B.  The Arizona department of forestry and fire management shall:

1.  Coordinate with the Arizona state land department on projects conducted on state trust land pursuant to this section.

2.  Coordinate with the Arizona game and fish department on projects conducted pursuant to this section.

3.  Monitor and oversee specific projects for which the legislature appropriates monies to the nonnative vegetative species eradication fund.

4.  Provide grants to other state agencies, cities, towns, counties, Indian tribes and other political subdivisions of this state for nonnative vegetative invasive species eradication projects that will assist in preventing fire and flooding, conserving water, replacing nonnative vegetative species with native vegetative species and restoring habitat to wildlife.  A grant recipient shall follow state and federal laws to preserve endangered species when implementing the nonnative vegetative invasive species eradication project.

5.  Establish procedures to apply for grants and criteria to qualify for the grants.  Grants awarded pursuant to this section shall be awarded in accordance with title 41, chapter 24.

6.  Submit a semiannual report on the work, goals, objectives and funding of the nonnative vegetative species eradication fund to the governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives and the chairpersons of the senate and house of representatives appropriations committees, or their successor committees, and provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

C.  All monies remaining unencumbered on December 31, 2021 revert to the state general fund.END_STATUTE

Sec. 2.  Appropriation; nonnative vegetative species eradication fund; invasive species eradication grants

The sum of $5,000,000 is appropriated from the state general fund in each of fiscal years 2019‑2020 and 2020-2021 to the nonnative vegetative species eradication fund established by section 37‑1309, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act, to provide grants for nonnative vegetative invasive species eradication projects.