ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fifth Legislature Second Regular Session

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HB 2329: disaster; reimbursement of emergency expenses

Sponsor: Representative Payne, LD 21

Committee on Military Affairs & Public Safety

Overview

Prioritizes state reimbursement of search or rescue (SAR) operations for political subdivisions and increases reimbursements for SAR operations.

History

When the Governor declares an emergency statute permits unrestricted monies from the General Fund (GF) to be used to meet contingencies arising from the emergency. No more than $200,000 may be used for any single emergency without the consent of the state emergency council, and no more than $4,000,000 may be used in any fiscal year. The Director of the Division of Emergency Management (DEM), a division of the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA), administers the emergency funds (A.R.S. § 35-192).

Political subdivisions of Arizona may receive from the emergency funds, in order of priority, reimbursement for expenses incurred:

1) To combat a menace to the health, lives or property of Arizonans;

2) To repair damage to any property of the state;

3) To repair damage to any property of the political subdivisions of the state;

4) In SAR operations;

5) In recovery activities or in matching federal disaster recovery programs;

6) For property loss mitigation or to match federal property loss mitigation programs (A.R.S. § 35-192).

SAR operations are reimbursed according to the following schedule each fiscal year:

1) Up to 50% of SAR expenditures below $1,000;

2) Up to 75% of SAR expenditures above $1,000 and below $21,000; and

3) 100% of SAR expenditures above $21,000 (A.R.S. § 35-192).

Provisions

1. Increases the priority of reimbursing expenses incurred by political subdivisions of Arizona in SAR operations from fourth to second. (Sec. 2)

2. Permits political subdivisions to apply to the Director of the DEM for a 100% reimbursement, from monies authorized for SAR funding, of necessary expenses incurred in a SAR operation and:

a) Conducted under the authority of a county board of supervisors with county resources;

b) Conducted or coordinated by a county sheriff; or

c) Coordinated by DEMA between different political subdivisions. (Sec. 3)

3. Allows political subdivisions to apply to the Director of the DEM for a reimbursement of up to $1,000 for expenses that are necessary for an approved SAR operation but ineligible for coverage by the 100% reimbursement. (Sec. 3)

4. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1, 2, 3, 4)

5. Makes conforming changes. (Sec. 2, 3, 4)

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9.                   HB 2329

10. Initials FK/NM       Page 0 Military Affairs & Public Safety

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