ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
national guard; counter-drug
activities
Allows the Arizona National
Guard to conduct counter-drug and demand reduction activities in accordance with
the Governor’s annual state plan and to enter counter-drug activity agreements
with the national guard of other states.
Adopted in 1992, the
National Guard Mutual Assistance Counter-Drug Activities Compact is intended to
provide for the mutual assistance and support among the party states in the
utilization of the national guard in drug interdiction, counter-drug and demand
reduction activities. Under the
compact, the Arizona National Guard can enter into mutual assistance and
support agreements with a national guard of another state for activities within
or without of Arizona. Mission 5b of
the Arizona National Guard’s policy governing the National Guard Counter-Drug
Support Program relating to aerial reconnaissance requires the reconnaissance/observation
of airspace or surface areas for illegal drug activities. However, another policy requires operational
counter-drug missions by the Arizona National Guard within the borders of other
states to first establish written memoranda of understanding with the other
state or provide notice of the intent to cross the state’s borders. At the present time, no specific
authorization exists for the Arizona National Guard to cross state lines while
supporting local law enforcement entities’ antidrug activities unless the other
state has adopted the compact.
The combination of removing
statutory limitations regarding antidrug operations outside of this state and
the repeal of the compact would allow the Arizona National Guard to operate in
accordance with the Governor’s Counter-Drug Support Plan. The Governor’s annual state plan allows
operations to be conducted outside of Arizona pursuant to a memorandum of
agreement with the other state only if required by state law. This legislation, in essence, removes the
requirement.
No fiscal impact has been
determined for this legislation.
1. Allows the Arizona National Guard to engage in counter-drug and demand reduction activities in accordance with the Governor’s annual state plan.
2. Allows the Arizona National Guard to enter into mutual assistance and support agreements pertaining to counter-drug activities with the national guard of other states.
3. Stipulates that the Arizona National Guard may enter into counter-drug activity agreements with Arizona law enforcement entities.
4. Removes limitation that Arizona National Guard counter-drug and demand reduction activities be conducted in the state.
5. Removes limitation that the Arizona National Guard may enter into mutual assistance and support agreements only for activities within the state.
6. Removes ability of Arizona National Guard to request national guard members to serve as volunteers to conduct drug interdiction activities.
7. Repeals the National Guard Mutual Assistance Counter-Drug Activities Compact.
8. Makes conforming changes.
9. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
January 4, 2001