ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
initiative and referendum;
pamphlet; signatures
(NOW: growth management task
force)
Establishes a 13-member Growth Management Task Force that will conduct hearings on and study growth management issues facing Arizona.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau (Bureau), in 2000 the population of Arizona was approximately 5.1 million people. Arizona is ranked as the second fastest growing state behind Nevada, and Arizona is ranked as the twentieth most populated state. From 1990 to 2000, Arizona saw a 40 percent increase in population growth. In 1990, the state’s population was approximately 3.67 million; in 1970, the population was approximately 1.8 million.
In 1999, the Bureau estimated that the population of Pima County was approximately 800,000 people. In that same year, the Bureau estimated that the population of Maricopa County was approximately 2.9 million people. By 2020, the population of Maricopa County is expected to exceed 4 million people.
In 1998, legislation commonly known as the Growing Smarter Act was enacted to create an urban growth management framework to address the problems associated with urban growth, which refers to the issues surrounding the rapid growth of many of Arizona’s cities, towns and counties (Laws 1998, Chapter 204). That act was further expanded upon with the passage of the Growing Smarter Plus Act in 2000 (Laws 2000, Fourth Special Session, Chapter 1). However, several attempts to pass growth management plans on the statewide ballot have failed in recent years.
The notion of urban growth not only encompasses the actual construction of homes, businesses and roads, but also quality-of-life issues such as the preservation of open space and the cultural impact of such growth. As urban growth has become a prominent public policy issue, various political entities have attempted to provide for growth processes that consider both development and preservation concerns. For instance, the cities of Scottsdale and Phoenix, as well as Pima County, have adopted programs to preserve open space within their jurisdictional limits.
H.B. 2556 seeks to increase the dialogue between governmental entities as well as nongovernmental actors, such as developers and environmentalists, who have an interest in urban growth issues.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state general fund.
1. Establishes the Growth Management Task Force that conducts hearings on and studies growth management issues facing Arizona.
2. Instructs that the Task Force consist of the following 13 members:
§ The Governor or the Governor’s designee.
§ The State Land Commissioner.
§ The Director of the State Parks Board.
To be appointed by the Chair of the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee:
§ Two members of the Senate, who are not members of the same political party.
§ One member who represents an environmental organization that has a demonstrated interest in growth management issues.
§ One member who represents the development industry that has a demonstrated interest in growth management issues.
To be appointed by the Chair of the House Environment Committee:
§ Two members of the House of Representatives, who are not members of the same political party.
§ One member who represents an environmental organization that has a demonstrated interest in growth management issues.
§ One member who represents the development industry that has a demonstrated interest in growth management issues.
§ One member who represents an organization of cities and towns, to be appointed by the President of the Senate.
§ One member who represents an organization of counties, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
§ One member who represents a statewide education association, to be appointed by the President of the Senate.
§ One member who is an advocate of affordable housing to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
3. Requires the Growth Management Task Force to submit a written report of its findings and recommendations by December 1, 2001 to the Governor and the Legislature.
4. Contains a delayed repeal date of December 31, 2001.
5. Provides for a general effective date.
The strike everything amendment was adopted.
1. Adds two members to the Growth Management Task Force.
§ One member who is a representative of a statewide education association to be appointed by the President of the Senate.
§ One member who is an advocate of affordable housing to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
GOV 4/9/01 DPA/SE 4-2-0-0
3rd Read 4/19/01 17-13-0-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
April 20, 2001