House Engrossed

Arizona highway magazine; privatization

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2024

HOUSE BILL 2571

An Act

amending title 28, chapter 20, article 11, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding sections 28-7317 and 28-7318; relating to the Arizona highways magazine.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

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

Section 1. Title 28, chapter 20, article 11, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding sections 28-7317 and 28-7318, to read:

START_STATUTE28-7317. Arizona highways magazine privatization

A. Notwithstanding any other law, the department of administration may sell the Arizona highways magazine to a private entity if the department of administration receives a bid pursuant to this section from a private entity that meets the requirements prescribed in this subsection. The private entity must be an entity that:

1. Is based in this state.

2. Has been in existence for at least five years.

3. Has experience printing a magazine with at least ten thousand copies per month.

4. Has a strong experience on a social media platform.

5. be suitable to ensure the integrity of the arizona highways magazine.

B. the department shall solicit bids to sell the magazine. The department of administration shall solicit bids before selling the magazine. After the department of administration awards the sale to a private entity, the department of administration shall create and enter into an agreement to convey the Arizona highways magazine and all of its assets to the private entity. The agreement shall:

1. Contain language to protect the format and integrity of the Arizona highways magazine and the nature of the magazine in promoting Arizona tourism and business.

2. Provide that all employees working full time on the magazine at the time of the sale be offered employment with the private entity or be offered other positions with this state.

3. Provide that the private entity must pay an annual fee to the department of administration in an amount to be determined by the department of administration.

C. The private entity that owns the magazine must publish the magazine monthly or the magazine transfers back to the department of administration. This requirement applies to any private owner of the magazine.

D. If the private entity owner wants to sell the magazine, the department of administration has the first right to purchase the magazine.  END_STATUTE

START_STATUTE28-7318. Arizona highways magazine advisory committee; membership; duties

The Arizona highways magazine advisory committee is established.  The committee:

1. Consists of the following members:

(a) The director of the department of transportation or the director's designee.

(b) The director of the office of tourism or the director's designee.

(c) One member who is appointed by the president of the senate for a term of five years.

(d) One member who is appointed by the speaker of the house of REPRESENTATIVES for a term of five years.

(e) One public member who is APPOINTED by the GOVERNOR for a term of five years.

2. Shall choose a chairperson who shall convene the committee twice each year to meet with the private entity that buys the Arizona highways magazine to advise the private entity. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Delayed repeal

Section 28-7318, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act, is repealed from and after December 31, 2035.

Sec. 3. Initial terms of the Arizona highways magazine advisory committee

A. Notwithstanding section 28-7318, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act, the initial terms of members are:

1. One term ending January 1, 2026.

2. Two terms ending January 1, 2027.

B. The president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives and the governor shall make all subsequent appointments as prescribed by statute.