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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
Arizona space commission; strategic plan
Purpose
An emergency measure that requires the Arizona Space Commission (Commission) to submit a strategic plan to the Governor and legislative leadership by December 31, 2025, rather than December 31, 2024, and modifies the terms of the initial members of the Commission's Board of Directors (Board).
Background
Laws 2024, Chapter 140 establishes the Commission and the Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund with the purpose of identifying research and funding opportunities that enhance Arizona's position in civil, commercial and military aeronautics research and development and space flight infrastructure. The Commission is governed by a Board that consists of 13 appointed members that serve six-year terms, except for the initial members of the Board who must assign themselves by lot to terms of two, four and six years in office.
The Commission must develop and annually update a strategic plan for promoting and expanding space, aeronautics and aviation in Arizona, including a list of potential projects to further the purposes of the Commission. Each potential project must include: 1) the estimated total cost for the project, including any available matching state monies; and 2) an assessment of the availability of external funding sources. By December 31, 2024, and each even-numbered year thereafter, the Commission must submit the strategic plan to the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the Commission to submit a strategic plan to the Governor and legislative leadership on or before December 31, 2025, and each odd-numbered year thereafter, rather than on or before December 31, 2024, and each even-numbered year thereafter.
2. Specifies that the initial Board members must assign themselves by lot to terms expiring in 2026, 2028 and 2030, rather than terms of two, four and six years in office.
3. Stipulates that, if the initial appointment of a Board member occurs after the term end date, the initial member's term must expire six years after the term end date.
4. Makes conforming changes.
5. Becomes effective on signature of the Governor, if the emergency clause is enacted, retroactive to December 31, 2024.
House Action
ST 2/5/25 DPA 8-0-0-1
3rd Read 2/19/25 58-1-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 6, 2025
KJA/slp