ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

HB2506: Arizona state parks board; continuation

Sponsor: Representative Diaz, LD 19

Committee on Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Overview

Continues the Arizona State Parks Board (ASPB) for six years.

History

ASPB was created in 1957 to establish and maintain areas of natural features, scenic beauty, historical and scientific interest and zoos and botanical gardens for the state of Arizona (A.R.S. § 41-511.03 and Laws 1957, Chapter 99). It is comprised of the State Land Commissioner and six members appointed by the governor to six-year terms. Of these six members, one must be a representative of the livestock industry, one must be professionally involved in general recreation work and one must be professionally involved in the tourism industry (A.R.S. § 41-511). The governor also appoints a full-time director and a state historic preservation officer (A.R.S. § 41-511.02). ASPB board members serve without compensation (A.R.S. § 41-511.01).

ASPB's responsibilities include:

1) Selecting areas for state parks and national monuments;

2) Managing and operating 33 state parks as well as other monuments and trails;

3) Coordinating and administering the State Historic Preservation Program;

4) Administering the Arizona Register of Historic Places;

5) Administering a parks and recreation program;

6) Receiving applications for projects to be funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the State Lake Improvement Fund and providing staff support to the Arizona Outdoor Recreation Coordinating Commission as it reviews these applications;

7) Maintaining an off-highway vehicle recreation plan; and

8) Collaborating with the State Forester on forest management and wildfire issues (A.R.S. § 41-511.04).

The agency also provides an annual report to the governor detailing finances, goals and accomplishments during the preceding fiscal year (A.R.S. § 41-511.12). In FY 2023, ASPB has an operating budget of $15 million.

ASPB will terminate on July 1, 2023 (A.R.S. § 41-3023.06). At its January 19, 2023 meeting, the House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs and the Senate Natural Resources, Energy & Water joint committee of reference recommended that ASPB be continued for eight years.

Provisions

1. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2023, ASBP until July 1, 2029. (Sec. 1, 2 and 4)

2. Repeals ASPB on January 1, 2030. (Sec. 2)

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

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7. HB 2506

8. Initials PAB/AH Page 0 Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

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