Reference Title: resin bush; study committee; appropriation

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE JOINT INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEE ON MANAGEMENT OF THE SWEET RESIN BUSH; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO MANAGE, CONTROL OR ERADICATE THE SWEET RESIN BUSH.

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

Section 1. Joint interim study committee on management of the sweet resin bush; membership; duties; report

A. A joint interim study committee on management of the sweet resin bush is established to review the options for managing, controlling and eradicating the euryops subcarnosus vulgaris, commonly known as the sweet resin bush. The committee shall be comprised of the following members:

1. Three representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, no more than two of whom shall be from the same political party.

2. Three senators appointed by the president of the senate, no more than two of whom shall be from the same political party.

3. The director of the department of environmental quality or the director's designee.

4. The director of the department of agriculture or the director's designee.

5. The state land commissioner or the commissioner's designee.

6. One representative from each of two different counties appointed by an entity representing county supervisors in the state.

7. One private landowner who owns land in an area of the state infested by the sweet resin bush, appointed by the president of the senate.

8. One private landowner who owns land in an area of the state infested by the sweet resin bush, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

B. The committee shall:

1. Receive testimony regarding the need or desirability of managing, controlling or eradicating the sweet resin bush.

2. Review acceptable methods of managing, controlling or eradicating the sweet resin bush.

3. Examine other issues that relate to the infestation of the sweet resin bush.

4. Make recommendations to the director of the department of agriculture concerning the management, control or eradication of the sweet resin bush.

C. The president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall each select a cochairperson from the legislative members appointed to the committee.

D. The committee shall report to the director of the department of agriculture, the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate on its findings and recommendations by December 15, 1999.

Sec. 2. Appropriation; purpose

The sum of $200,000 is appropriated from the state general fund to the department of agriculture for fiscal year 1999-2000 to defray the cost of managing, controlling or eradicating the sweet resin bush. Prior to obligating or expending the monies appropriated in this section, the director of the department of agriculture shall review the report of the joint interim study committee on management of the sweet resin bush required by section 1 of this act.

Sec. 3. Repeal

This act is repealed from and after June 30, 2000.