Assigned to GOV & APPROP                                                                                                    FOR COMMITTEE

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2690

 

Native American issues study committee

 

Purpose

 

Establishes a Native American Issues Study Committee and prescribes its membership and duties.

 

Background

 

This legislation establishes a Native American Issues Study Committee consisting of 14 members who are required to evaluate current state laws and policies, review studies, recommend changes and draft legislation that would improve the situation of the 21 Native American Indian nations and tribes and the over 250,000 Native Americans in this State.

 

There may be a fiscal impact to the state general fund regarding the reimbursement of travel expenses for members of the Committee and staffing of the Committee.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Establishes a Native American Issues Study Committee and prescribes its membership.

 

2.      Requires the Committee to:

 

a)      Examine current state laws or policies that impact Native Americans and identify changes that would improve their status.

b)      Prioritize changes in the laws and prepare draft legislation for the next session.

c)      Compare and review state, federal and private studies and studies conducted by Native American nations or tribes addressing the needs and concerns facing Native Americans focusing on the fiscal impact resulting in changes to state law.

d)      Take testimony from members of Indian nations and tribes of this State and the public at large.

e)      Prepare a summary of the findings and conclusions of the Committee by November 29, 2002.

f)        Approve the final draft legislation by December 13, 2002.

g)      Submit a written report of its findings and recommendations by December 31, 2002 to the Legislature, the Governor, the Director of the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records and to each Indian nation or tribe of this State.

 

3.      Authorizes the use of legislative staff and staff provided by the Departments of Revenue, Education, Transportation and Economic Security.

 

4.      Entitles members to receive reimbursement of travel expenses incurred in compliance with statutory requirements, but does not provide for compensation.

 

5.      Repeals the Committee on January 1, 2003.

 

6.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

House Action

 

RGO         3/26/02       DP       5-0-3-2-0

NAA         3/21/02       DP       4-0-1-1-0

3rd Read    4/08/02                   32-18-10-0

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

April 18, 2002