Purpose

Establishes the Rural Economic Development Study Committee to study and make recommendations regarding rural economic development in Arizona.

Background

Recently, a resolution was submitted by the City of Holbrook to the League of Arizona Cities and Towns (League) that urged the Legislature to create a Joint Rural Economic Development Study Committee with the mission of studying the unique economic development needs of rural Arizona.

According to the City of Holbrook and the League, the purpose of the resolution is to ensure that the unique economic development needs of rural Arizona are studied and that, following the study, legislation is introduced to address rural economic development needs.

There is no discernable fiscal impact to the general fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Establishes the Rural Economic Development Study Committee (Committee) consisting of the following members:

a) Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, each representing a different political party, and two members from the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each representing a different political party, all of whom are from counties with a population of less than 800,000 persons.

b) The chairman of the Senate Commerce, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and the chairman of the House of Representatives Counties and Municipalities Committee, or the successor committees.

c) Two members representing a municipality in a county with a population of less than 800,000 persons, one appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

d) Two public members, appointed by the Governor, who are knowledgeable about rural economic development issues.

e) Two members who represent the state, the Director of the Department of Commerce or the Director’s designee and one appointed by the Governor.

2. Requires the Committee to examine the economic trends that are shaping development in rural Arizona, federal and state policies that affect rural economic development, land use policies and their impact on rural economic development, and current rural economic development policies in Arizona and other states for information and review.

3. Requires the Committee, on or before December 1, 2001, to submit a written report on its findings and recommendations to improve economic development in rural Arizona to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, and provide a copy of the report to the Secretary of State and the Director of the Department of Library, Archives and Public Records.

4. Repeals the Committee from and after December 31, 2001.

5. Provides for a general effective date.

House Action

CM 1/25/00 DP 5-0-1-0-0

3^rd Read 2/10/00 52-6-2-0

Prepared by Senate Staff

February 22, 2000

Assigned to CANR FOR COMMITTEE

Purpose