REFERENCE TITLE: Phoenix-Mesa gateway airport; reuse zone

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2024

HJR 2001

Introduced by

Representative Grantham

A Joint Resolution

renewing the designation of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport as a military reuse zone.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Whereas, Williams Air Force Base closed on September 30, 1993, pursuant to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-510) and the recommendations of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission; and

Whereas, Williams Air Force Base was used for operational purposes and training of the active uniformed services of the United States; and

Whereas, the closure of Williams Air Force Base resulted in the loss of thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in economic activity, and the State of Arizona and local communities, faced with the challenge of replacing these losses, formed a unique partnership to develop a comprehensive economic reuse plan for Williams Air Force Base; and

Whereas, a primary component of this economic reuse initiative was the 1992 enactment of Arizona's Defense Restructuring and Military Reuse Zone Programs, a forward-thinking legislative framework for designating closed military bases in Arizona as military reuse zones, which provide targeted economic incentives for aviation and aerospace businesses, creating new jobs and making capital investments within these zones; and

Whereas, the Williams Gateway Airport Authority desired to establish a civil airport on a portion of the lands comprising Williams Air Force Base and applied to the Air Force for a public benefit transfer of such lands with improvements thereon, together with certain related personal property, under 49 United States Code section 47151; and

Whereas, the Air Force approved and accepted the Williams Gateway Airport Authority's application; and

Whereas, the secretary of the Air Force ultimately transferred to the Williams Gateway Airport Authority title to the premises and property consisting of certain lands with improvements thereon, comprising a portion of Williams Air Force Base, more particularly described in the quitclaim deed executed on April 14, 1998 and recorded in Maricopa County on April 30, 1998; and

Whereas, the Williams Gateway Airport was designated a military reuse zone pursuant to Executive Order 96-12 in 1996, and it remained a military reuse zone until July 2006; and

Whereas, on October 19, 2006, Executive Order 2006-15 designated Williams Gateway Airport as a military reuse zone, pursuant to section 41-1531, Arizona Revised Statutes, for a period of ten years from the date of designation; and

Whereas, Williams Gateway Airport became known as Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in 2008; and

Whereas, the military reuse zone designation at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, formerly Williams Gateway Airport, has been an important component of the economic redevelopment strategy that attracted over 52 companies and created 6,675 direct jobs since 1996; and

Whereas, the renewal of the military reuse zone designation will continue to facilitate state and local economic readjustment efforts by providing opportunities for commercial and industrial development, including major infrastructure improvements that will spur job creation and accelerate redevelopment growth.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

1. That the Members of the Fifty-sixth Legislature and the Governor of the State of Arizona renew as a military reuse zone the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, formerly Williams Gateway Airport, premises and property consisting of certain lands with improvements thereon comprising a portion of Williams Air Force Base, more particularly described in the quitclaim deed executed on April 14, 1998 and recorded in Maricopa County on April 30, 1998.

2. That, pursuant to section 41-1531, subsection B, Arizona Revised Statutes, the termination date for this military reuse zone be set for ten years from October 19, 2026.

3. That the Secretary of State transmit copies of this Resolution to the City of Phoenix and the City of Mesa.