ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

House: NREW DP 10-0-0-0

HB 2037: geological survey; state geologist

Sponsor: Representative Griffin, LD 14

House Engrossed

Overview

Requires the state geologist to be a registered geologist or a trained geologist and clarifies that this official serves at the pleasure of the Arizona Board of Regents. Also establishes the Arizona Geological Survey (AGS) within the University of Arizona and repeals its termination date.

History

Geologist

Statute recognizes two types of geologists:

1) A registered geologist who is registered through the Arizona Board of Technical Registration. To attain this designation, someone must pass two exams and have eight years of experience which can include a bachelor's degree and four years of work experience (A.R.S. § 32-122.01).

2) A trained geologist is someone who has both earned a geology degree from an accredited educational institution and participated in geological work outside an educational institution for at least four years (A.R.S. § 32-144(G)).

Arizona Geological Survey and the State Geologist

The AGS provides information to the public on geological processes, materials and landscapes and advice and assistance on developing mineral and land resources in Arizona (A.R.S. § 27-103). Its responsibilities include mapping geologic features, providing objective information about the geologic character of Arizona, preparing data files with known earth fissures and maintaining a central repository and database (A.R.S. § 27-106). The state geologist leads the AGS (A.R.S. § 27-102).

Two laws passed in 2016 created conflicting versions of the same statute for the AGS and the state geologist:

1) Laws 2016, Chapter 128, § 5 established the AGS within the University of Arizona. The state geologist serves at the pleasure of the Arizona Board of Regents and can engage the services of faculty members or students. This official must be a graduate of an accredited institution and otherwise qualified by education and experience to direct the AGS's research and information functions.

2) Laws 2016, Chapter 371, § 6 established the AGS with offices located near the University of Arizona. The state geologist is appointed by the Governor and organizes the AGS into administrative units and employs staff. This official must be either a registered geologist or trained geologist, a graduate of an accredited institution and otherwise qualified by education and experience to direct the AGS's research and information functions.

The AGS terminated on July 1, 2022 and its statutes will be repealed on January 1, 2023 (A.R.S. § 41-3022.07).

Provisions

1. Requires the state geologist to be registered as a geologist through the State Board of Technical Registration or a trained geologist. (Sec. 2)

2. Repeals Laws 2016, Chapter 371, § 6 and the termination date for the AGS. (Sec. 1 and 3)

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6. HB 2037

7. Initials PAB Page 0 House Engrossed

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