ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fifth Legislature Second Regular Session
	House: LARA DPA 10-0-1-0 | APPROP DP 13-0-0-0

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HB 2539: nonnative species eradication; projects; appropriation

Sponsor: Representative John, LD 4

Caucus & COW

Overview

Appropriates $15,000,000 for nonnative vegetation invasive species eradication projects along part of the Gila River and establishes a committee to oversee these projects.

History

Laws 2019, Chapter 269 established the Nonnative Vegetation Species Eradication Fund for grants and projects to remove invasive plants such as salt cedar. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) administers this fund and oversees projects. Political subdivisions of the state such as cities and counties, Indian tribes and nonprofit organizations can apply for grant funding for projects that prevent fires and flooding, conserve water, restore habitats and replace nonnative vegetation (A.R.S. § 37-1309). The fund is continuously appropriated and has received $1,000,000 legislative appropriations annually beginning in FY 2019, which will continue through FY 2029 (Laws 2019, Chapter 263 § 142). In FY 2020, DFFM awarded $1,970,000 in grants that have treated 2,116 acres.

Provisions

Fund and Eradication Projects

1. Instructs DFFM to coordinate with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) on eradication projects. (Sec. 1)

2. Requires DFFM to:

a) Serve as the fiscal agent for all projects funded by this act; and

b) Designate ADOT as the primary contractor for all projects. (Sec. 3)

3. Renames the fund as the Jackie Meck Nonnative Vegetation Species Eradication Fund. (Sec. 1)

Advisory Committee (Sec. 2)

4. Establishes the Gila River Nonnative Species Eradication Project Advisory Committee (Committee) and prescribes membership requirements.

5. Instructs the Committee to:

a) Meet quarterly;

b) Review the progress of ongoing nonnative vegetation invasive species eradication projects and receive community testimony on these projects;

c) Recommend future steps to the project contractor; and

d) Submit an annual report on its activities, projects and recommendations for future projects.

6. Defines nonnative vegetation invasive species eradication projects.

7. Repeals the Committee on October 1, 2025.

Appropriation (Sec. 3)

8. Appropriates $15,000,000 from the state General Fund (GF) in FY 2023 to the Jackie Meck Nonnative Vegetation Species Eradication Fund for nonnative vegetation invasive species eradication projects along part of the Gila River.

9. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing.

10. Requires all remaining unspent fund monies to revert the state GF on June 30, 2025.

Miscellaneous (Sec. 1)

11. Makes technical and conforming changes.

Amendments

Committee on Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

1. Removes the requirement that an advisory committee oversee projects.

2. Deletes the requirement that DFFM coordinate with ADOT on projects and designates DFFM as the primary agent and contractor for the fund.

3. Changes the name of the fund back to the Nonnative Vegetation Invasive Species Eradication Fund.

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                        HB 2539

Initials PAB/JH           Page 0 Caucus & COW

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