Assigned to FS & APPROP                                                                                                             FOR COMMITTEE

 

 


 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1256

 

appropriations; tribal senior centers

 

Purpose

 

            Appropriates $1 million in FY 2002-2003 from the state general fund to the Department of Economic Security (DES) for Hopi and Navajo senior centers.

 

Background

 

The Hopi Tribe plans to build tribal senior centers in the three Hopi Villages of Kykotsmovi, Hotevilla and First Mesa.  Tribal, village and private funding sources have contributed $824,000 for the senior center projects.  According to the Hopi Tribe Elderly Committee, these contributions have been used for planning, design and engineering, site preparation and administration of each project. 

 

The Navajo Nation is comprised of 110 chapters, 61 of which are located in Arizona.  According to the Navajo Area Agency on Aging, 48 chapters currently have senior centers, either within the chapter house or in a separate building near the chapter house.

 

The Legislature appropriated $350,000 in FY 1998-1999 for construction of five senior centers, a parking lot, a hogan and a multipurpose building for the Navajo Nation.   The Legislature appropriated $50,000 in FY 2000-2001 for repairs to Hopi senior centers.  The Legislature appropriated $1 million in each of FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003 for Hopi and Navajo senior centers, of which $285,700 was allocated for Hopi centers and $714,300 for Navajo centers each year.  However, the FY 2002-2003 appropriation was eliminated when the  FY 2002-2003 general fund budget was repealed during the Second Special Session of the Forty-fifth Legislature.

 

The proposed legislation has a fiscal impact of $1 million to the state general fund.  The bill reappropriates the previously-repealed appropriation of $1 million in FY 2002-2003 from the state general fund, allocating $285,700 for Hopi centers and $714,300 for Navajo centers.  Appropriated monies cannot be used for administrative costs and the tribal governments must contribute matching funds.  Additionally, the Navajo Nation must develop a plan for equitable use of the monies among chapters.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Appropriates $1 million in FY 2002-2003 from the state general fund to DES for senior centers, of which $285,700 is allocated to the Hopi Tribe and $714,300 is allocated to the Navajo Nation.

 

2.      Requires matching funds from the tribal governments.

3.      Requires the Navajo Nation to develop a plan for the equitable use of monies among chapters.

 

4.      Prohibits appropriated monies from being used for administrative costs.

 

5.      Exempts the appropriations from lapsing until June 30, 2005.

 

6.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

February 15, 2002