ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fifth Legislature First Regular Session

---

HB 2807: archaeology advisory commission

Sponsor:  Representative Griffin, LD 14

Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Overview

Re-establishes the Governor's Archaeology Advisory Commission (GAAC) and requires that one member must be a rancher, another a tribal member and another a member of a natural resource conservation district. Terminates this agency on July 1, 2022.

History

GAAC was established by the Legislature in 1985 to advise the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) who assists private citizens, private institutions, local governments, tribes and state and federal agencies in identifying, evaluating, protecting and enhancing historic and archaeological properties.

GAAC advises the SHPO on various archaeological issues in Arizona including public education, promotion of archaeological issues, supporting law enforcement activities to prevent destruction of archaeological sites, developing a plan to protect sites and methods to contribute to a better understanding of history (Laws 1985, Chapter 20).

The Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee COR held a public hearing on January 14, 2020 and recommended that GAAC not be continued (COR Final Report). It terminated on July 1, 2020.

Provisions

1. Re-establishes GAAC consisting of 15 members appointed by the Governor for three-year terms. (Sec. 1)

2. Requires all members to have a demonstrated interest or expertise in one or more of the following fields:

a) Prehistoric archeology;

b) Historic archaeology;

c) Anthropology;

d) Ethnology;

e) Tourism;

f) Public Education; and

g) Economic development or planning. (Sec. 1)

3. Specifies that eight of the members must have a demonstrated interest or expertise in or more of the following fields:

a) Prehistoric archaeology;

b) Historic archaeology;

c) Ethnology; or

d) Anthropology. (Sec. 1)

4. Mandates that GAAC membership must include a rancher, tribal member and a member of a natural resource conservation district. (Sec. 1)

5. Requires GAAC to annually select one of its members as chairperson and meet at times designated by the majority of its members. (Sec. 1)

6. Stipulates that GAAC members are not eligible to receive compensation or reimbursement of expenses, except for those members who are employed by the State. (Sec. 1)

7. Requires GAAC to advise the SHPO in:

a) Conducting public education programs to promote archaeology and inform the public on archaeological issues;

b) Fostering archaeological law enforcement activities to stop pothunting and other destructive activities on archaeological sites;

c) Providing for the development of a state plan for protecting archaeological sites, including acquisition and development;

d) Developing mechanisms to assist private owners with protecting and managing their archaeological sites;

e) Fostering continued studies of Arizona's archaeology to contribute to a better understanding of its cultural history; and

f) Archaeological activities and related issues. (Sec. 1)

8. Directs GAAC to submit an annual report regarding its activities to the Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives. (Sec. 1)

9. Terminates GAAC on July 1, 2022. (Sec. 2)

10. Repeals GAAC's statute on January 1, 2023. (Sec. 2)

11. Contains a purpose statement. (Sec. 3)

---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

                        HB 2807

Initials PAB/AG           Page 0 Natural Resources, Energy & Water

---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------