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ARIZONA STATE LEGISLATURE
Fiftieth Legislature – First Regular Session
JOINT BORDER SECURITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Minutes of Interim Meeting
House Hearing Room 1 -- 9:00 a.m.
Co-Chairman Melvin called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. and attendance was noted by the secretary.
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Senator Al Melvin, Co-Chairman |
Representative Russ Jones, Co-Chairman |
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Senator Gail Griffin |
Representative Kirk Adams |
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Senator Steve Smith |
Representative David Stevens |
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Bas Aja |
Gilbert Orrantia |
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John Halikowski |
Charles Ryan |
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Robert Halliday |
Major General Hugo Salazar |
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None |
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Introduction of Members and Staff
Co-Chairman Melvin asked each Member to introduce himself or herself:
Senator Al Melvin, Legislative District 26 on the north side of Tucson
Representative Russ Jones, Legislative District 24 from Yuma to Parker
Steve Moortel for Representative Kirk Adams, Legislative District 19
Bas Aja, Arizona Cattlemen’s Association
Gilbert Orrantia, Director, Arizona Department of Homeland Security
Major General Hugo Salazar, Director, Department of Emergency and Military Affairs
Senator Gail Griffin, Legislative District 25 in southern Arizona
Senator Steve Smith, Legislative District 23 in Pinal County
Representative David Stevens, Legislative District 25 in southern Arizona
Kevin Biesty for John Halikowski, Arizona Department of Transportation
Bob Halliday, Director, Arizona Department of Public Safety
Chuck Ryan, Director, Arizona Department of Corrections
Co-Chairman Jones introduced Committee Research Analysts Bill Boyd from the Senate and Joe DeMenna from the House of Representatives.
Statutory Purpose of the Committee
Co-Chairman Melvin explained that this Committee was established by HB2162, passed by the 49th Legislature, Second Regular Session, as a follow-up to SB1070.
Co-Chairman Jones stated that the
purpose of this Committee, as established by HB2162, is to (1) take testimony and other evidence regarding the
international border with Mexico,
(2) analyze border crossing statistics, (3) analyze related crime statistics, (4)
make recommendations designed to increase border security, and (5) make other
recommendations deemed essential by the Committee (Attachment 1). He informed
the Members that the Committee’s sunset date is December 31, 2014.
Potential Stakeholders and Presenters
Co-Chairman Melvin stated that
there are many other entities and potential stakeholders who will be invited as
a “second tier” to attend meetings and present information. He and
Co-Chairman Jones listed some of these:
United States Border Patrol
County Sheriffs’ Association
Police Chiefs’ Association
Margie Emmerman, Governor’s Office
Luis Ramirez, Governor’s Office
Department of Public Safety
Arizona’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
United States Customs, Arizona Department
United States Attorney for the State of Arizona
Arizona Attorney General
Association for County Attorneys
Tribal Representatives
Private sector groups such as state trucking and customs brokers associations that deal with international commerce and the border
Border Chambers of Commerce
Arizona Rangers
Civil Air Patrol
Co-Chairman Melvin explained that there are two bills working their way through the current Legislature: one will establish a website to raise money to build a border fence, and the other will direct that money to be used to build the fence using inmate labor. Co-Chairman Jones asked if the oversight for those bills should be this Committee; Senator Smith answered in the affirmative.
Co-Chairman Melvin spoke in some detail about ideas to incorporate in the new website, including issuing certificates to those who donate. He explained that Arizona has 40,000 inmates, 6,000 of whom are available to work off of the prison grounds at 50 cents per hour; this type of fence-building project has already been done in Douglas. He added that the inmates can be used not only to build the fence, but also to help clean up areas that have been trashed by illegals.
Co-Chairman Melvin highlighted border activities that the State of Texas is doing, including a website (http://www.ProtectYourTexasBorder.com) which is managed by the Texas Department of Agriculture. He suggested that the Members make contact with counterparts in the other border states to learn what is being done in the area of border security.
Co-Chairman Jones added that the Border Legislative Conference (comprised of four United States border states and six Mexican border states) meets periodically and has declared security to be its most important priority.
Representative Stevens commented that he has experience in information technology and would be willing to set up the Arizona website. Co-Chairman Melvin stressed that the website could showcase the activity taking place on the border and be a central resource for all relevant information.
Co-Chairman Melvin identified two other websites for the Members to view:
Co-Chairman Melvin asked the Committee Members to share their thoughts on the purpose and goals of this group.
Co-Chairman Jones informed the Members that he wants to create a logical sequence of information gathering and proposed that each meeting focus on either federal, state, or county activities. Co-Chairman Melvin concurred, adding that for over 20 years the federal government has not secured the border and that this Committee can bring State of Arizona assets to bear on this issue.
Mr. Aja, Arizona Cattlemen’s Association, described for the Members some of the issues that ranchers along the border must deal with, including the illegal flow of drugs, contraband, and human smuggling. He discussed political and law enforcement solutions, particularly the effectiveness of the National Guard deployed along the border; he expressed concern that the National Guard will soon leave the area. He stated that drug cartels operating on the border move $80 million of contraband per day.
Mr. Orrantia, Arizona Department of Homeland Security, encouraged an assessment of “where we are” at this moment. He agreed that the second tier of stakeholders will be important to assess the very fluid situation on the border because of their knowledge of what is happening. He added that it is important to sustain where Arizona is currently, and pointed to Operation Stonegarden, a FEMA program to enhance law enforcement preparedness and operational readiness along the borders of the United States, as an example.
Co-Chairman Jones stressed the importance of understanding what things are not working.
Major General Salazar, Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, echoed the previous comments about the importance of identifying a starting point and acknowledging what has been done thus far. He added that the National Guard has both a federal mission to ensure that soldiers and airmen are prepared to deploy overseas and a state mission of emergency response. He reminded the Members that the National Guard does not have law enforcement authority; it always operates in a support role.
Senator Griffin expressed agreement with identifying the problems on the border and hearing from the people who are affected. She stressed that her constituents want border security and safe communities in neighborhoods and rural areas; she stated that she looks forward to hearing the solutions to identified problems.
Senator Smith stated the importance of the border fence as well as manpower on the border. He stated that Texas has committed $116 million for border security and he wonders how much Arizona has actually committed.
Representative Stevens addressed the website project, stating that the State Treasurer must set up the accounts to receive donations.
Mr. Biesty, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), explained that his department is ready to provide any technical support needed. Co-Chairman Melvin commented that transportation is one of three resources that must be plentiful, reliable, and affordable in Arizona; he stated that the other two are electricity and water.
Mr. Halliday, Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), stressed that law enforcement is a key component of border security. He urged a collective gathering of all state law enforcement agencies. Co-Chairman Melvin commented that DPS has a strong presence in the state.
Mr. Ryan, Arizona Department of Corrections (DOC), discussed the use of inexpensive, offsite inmate labor for the benefit of the taxpayers. In the past, he has worked with state land and border associations to gain access to areas that need cleanup. Co-Chairman Melvin stressed the dual tasks of securing the border and cleaning up properties damaged by illegals.
Co-Chairman Jones added that perhaps Arizona’s universities might be used as resources for these projects. He stated that public testimony will be added to future agendas.
Co-Chairman Melvin stated he has been working with businessmen on a project near Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico that will create a deepwater port suitable for the largest ships in the world, such as container ships and ore carriers. This port will employ hundreds of thousands of people, providing decent jobs in Mexico. It will also require improved rail connections to Arizona which will reduce border road congestion and pollution; trains might not even have to stop at the border. He added that funding for this project will be from private investment.
Date for Next Meeting
Co-Chairman Melvin asked if the last Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. will be a good time for subsequent meetings; the Members concurred. He stated that, for the time being, the meetings will continue to be held in House Hearing Room 1.
He announced that the next meeting of the Joint Border Security Advisory Committee will be at 9:00 a.m. on April 27, 2011, in House Hearing Room 1.
Without objection, the meeting adjourned at 10:06 a.m.
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Jane Dooley, Committee Secretary
May 10, 2011
(Original minutes, attachments and audio on file in the Office of the Chief Clerk; video archives available at http://www.azleg.gov)
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JOINT BORDER SECURITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
March 30, 2011
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