AN ACT

amending title 41, chapter 8, article 5, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-1376.01; making an Appropriation; relating to the ombudsman‑citizens aide.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.  Title 41, chapter 8, article 5, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-1376.01, to read:

START_STATUTE41-1376.01.  Additional powers and duties; definition

A.  In addition to the powers and duties prescribed in section 41-1376, the ombudsman‑citizens aide shall appoint an assistant, who shall be an attorney, to help the ombudsman-citizens aide investigate complaints relating to public access laws involving an agency.  The assistant shall train public officials and educate the public on the rights of the public and the responsibilities of public agencies under the public access laws.  The assistant shall prepare interpretive and educational materials and programs in cooperation with the ombudsman-citizens aide and shall distribute to elected or appointed public officials the public access laws and educational materials concerning the public access laws.

B.  The annual report of the ombudsman-citizens aide shall include the following information about public access:

1.  The number of inquiries that are received from the public, the media and government agencies.

2.  The number of inquiries that are received about state agencies, county agencies, city or town agencies, school districts and other local jurisdictions.

3.  The number of requests that are received concerning public records and public meetings.

4.  The number of investigations that are conducted and the results of the investigations.

C.  For the purposes of this section, "agency" has the same meaning prescribed in section 41-1371 but includes all political subdivisions of this state. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2.  Appropriation; purpose; exemption

A.  The sum of $185,000 is appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2006-2007 to the office of the ombudsman-citizens aide for the purposes prescribed by this act.

B.  The appropriation made in subsection A of this section is exempt from the provisions of section 35-190, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to lapsing of appropriations.

Sec. 3.  Effective date

This act is effective from and after December 31, 2006.