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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
trade or commerce; technical correction
(NOW: rural business development advisory council)
Purpose
Adds, to the duties of the Rural Business Development Advisory Council (Advisory Council), the requirement to provide research on limitations and challenges to securing economic development projects, including challenges related to water certainty, broadband and infrastructure.
Background
The Arizona
Commerce Authority (ACA) is charged with providing private sector leadership in
growing and diversifying the economy of Arizona, creating high quality
employment through expansion, attraction and retention of businesses and
markets Arizona. The ACA is governed by a public-private board that employs a
chief executive officer who is responsible for managing, executing,
administering and supervising the activities of the ACA (A.R.S. §§ 41-1502
and 41-1503).
The duties of the ACA include establishing and supervising the operations of
full-time or part-time offices in other states and foreign countries for the
purpose of expanding direct investment and export trade opportunities for
businesses and industries in Arizona, assessing and collecting fees for
processing applications and administering incentives and establishing a program
by which entrepreneurs become aware of permits, licenses or authorizations
needed to establish, expand or operate in Arizona (A.R.S.
§ 41-1504).
The Advisory
Council is charged with advising the ACA Board of Directors regarding rural
business development strategies, including creating jobs, diversifying
economies and attracting new investments. The duties of the Advisory Council
include: 1) recommending to the ACA Board of Directors policy development and
funding allocations to complement regional and local economic development
strategies that focus on and assist rural communities; 2) developing selection
criteria and an application format for rural communities or areas to use in
applying for matching monies; 3) assisting local rural economic development
professionals, main street project managers and others involved in economic
development; 4) making recommendations regarding state responsibilities under
any necessary contracts with consultants, including the National Main Street
Center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and coordination of the
activities of other state agency personnel assisting with rural economic
development programs; and
5) coordinating the expenditure of available federal monies to support rural
business and economic development programs. The Advisory Council must also
develop priorities for economic strength projects based on factors such as the
cost of the project, the number of jobs that the project will create, retain or
increase, and the amount of expenditures required for local infrastructure
relating to the project (A.R.S. §§ 28-7281
and 41-1505).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Adds, to the duties of the Advisory Council, the requirement to provide research on limitations and challenges to securing economic development projects, including challenges related to water certainty, broadband and infrastructure.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date
Amendments Adopted by Committee
· Adopted the strike-everything amendment.
Senate Action
COM 2/15/23 DPA/SE 5-0-2
Prepared by Senate Research
March 1, 2023
JT/PM/sr