Bill > SB1278

This bill amends existing Arizona state law to establish a new Department of Natural Resources and create a Commission on Natural Resources. The bill modifies Section 37-101 to update definitions related to state lands, making minor grammatical changes such as replacing "which" with "that" throughout the text. More significantly, it adds a new Article 8 to Title 41, creating a comprehensive framework for the new department. The bill establishes a five-member commission appointed by the governor, senate president, and house speaker, with members serving five-year terms. The Department of Natural Resources will have broad powers to acquire, manage, and oversee state lands, including the ability to open lands for recreation, agriculture, and resource extraction. Notably, the director of the department will have the authority to issue, deny, or modify permits related to natural resource extraction, superseding existing agency decisions. The bill also clarifies that the new definition of "state lands" excludes certain lands owned by universities and the Department of Transportation. Commission members will receive compensation for their service and are subject to removal by the governor for inefficiency or misconduct.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/82641