ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

Senate: NR DP 5-1-2-0 | APPROP DP 8-1-1-0 | 3rd Read 19-10-1-0-0

SB 1083: appropriation; university of Arizona; agriculture

Sponsor: Senator Dunn, LD 25

Committee on Education

Overview

Appropriates $3,500,000 from the state General Fund (GF) in FY 2026 for the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA).

History

The YCEDA is a public-private partnership between the University of Arizona and the desert agriculture industry that supports research and innovation in addressing agricultural challenges, such as water efficiency, soil health, pest management and crop yield optimization. The YCEDA is overseen by an advisory council that guides the executive director on the focus of the YCEDA's research and programs, as well as a technical committee that provides feedback on project progress and guides objectives and goal development for new projects (YCEDA, YCEDA FY 2024 Annual Report).

The YCEDA operates the Desert Ag Small Grants Program to provide funding to two types of projects: 1) preliminary applied research to be used to launch a new research program of inquiry; and 2) proof-of-concept of a new agricultural application for new or existing technology. Projects are limited to a maximum duration of one year and must directly benefit the desert agriculture industry. Up to $10,000 of new funding is available each quarter, and an applicant may request a maximum of $10,000 per project from the YCEDA (Desert Ag Small Grants Program).

Provisions

1. Appropriates $3,500,000 from the state GF in FY 2026 to the University of Arizona for the YCEDA. (Sec. 1)

2. States the Legislature intends the appropriation to be considered ongoing funding. (Sec. 1)

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6. SB 1083

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