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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
office of defense innovation; appropriation
Purpose
Establishes the Arizona Office of Defense Innovation (Office) within the Office of the Governor and requires the Office to foster partnerships and drive innovation for defense technologies and leverage assets to attract federal and private defense investments. Appropriates $_____ from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2026 to the Governor for the Office.
Background
The Governor is responsible for supervising the official conduct of all executive and ministerial officers, including the ability to require any officer or board to make special reports to the Governor on demand in writing. The Governor is tasked to appoint all officers of this state not made elective, unless otherwise provided (A.R.S. ยง 41-101).
S.B. 1160 appropriates $_____ from the state GF in FY 2026 to the Governor.
Provisions
1. Establishes the Office within the Office of the Governor.
2. Requires the Office to foster partnerships to drive innovation for defense technologies and leverage assets in this state to attract federal and private defense investments.
3. Requires the Governor, in consultation with the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to appoint a Director for the Office (Director).
4. Requires the Governor to appoint an advisory board, to advise the Office on matters relating to the innovation for defense technologies, consisting of the following members:
a) one member from a military instillation in this state;
b) one member from a defense related industry in this state;
c) one member from a postsecondary educational institution in this state with experience in defense;
d) one member from a state agency who has expertise in economic development; and
e) the Director to serve as the chairperson of the advisory board.
5. Requires the Office to:
a) develop and implement a strategic plan to enhance competitiveness in defense related industries in Arizona;
b) act as a liaison between Arizona and federal defense agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense;
c) provide support to companies based in Arizona that are seeking federal defense contracts; and
d) identify and pursue opportunities for collaboration with universities and research institutions on defense technology projects.
6. Requires the Office to submit a report, by December 31 of each year, to the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Office's activities, achievements and any recommendations for improving the Office.
7. Allows the Office to accept any grants, gifts, devises and donations from any public or private source to assist in carrying out the purposes of the Office.
8. Appropriates $___ from the state GF in FY 2026 to the Governor to support the Office.
9. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing.
10. Defines office as the Office.
11. Contains a Legislative findings clause.
12. Designates this legislation as the Arizona Office of Defense Innovation Act.
13. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 21, 2025
LMM/JP/ci