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ARIZONA STATE LEGISLATURE
Forty-eighth Legislature – First Regular Session
SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES AND RURAL AFFAIRS AND
HOUSE WATER AND AGRICULTURE
COMMITTEE OF REFERENCE
Minutes of Interim Meeting
Senate Hearing Room 1 – 1:00 P.M.
Chairman Gray called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m. and attendance was noted by the secretary.
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Senator Chuck Gray, Co-Chair |
Representative Jack Brown |
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Senator Marsha Arzberger |
Representative John Kavanagh |
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Senator Karen Johnson |
Representative Lynne Pancrazi |
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Senator Amanda Aguirre |
Representative Lucy Mason, Co-Chair |
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Senator Robert Blendu |
Representative Jennifer Burns |
Chairman Gray announced that the meeting will begin even though a quorum is not yet present. He stated that no votes will be taken until a quorum is reached.
Arizona Beef Council
Megan Gnagy, Senate Natural Resources and Rural Affairs Analyst, described the background of the Arizona Beef Council.
Presentation
Bas Aja, Arizona Beef Council, addressed the committee to explain that, although he is associated with the Arizona Cattleman’s Association, he is today functioning as the Executive Director for the Arizona Beef Council, which does not deal with any policy matters related to beef production, but rather functions as the promotion and research arm for the industry in Arizona.
Mr. Aja explained that the Arizona Beef Council is a non-profit organization established by statute because federal law requires a state charter for the program. He explained that the Council has established a program that promotes and provides research on beef nutrition and food safety and all other matters related to beef and beef products. He explained the financing structure.
Chairman Gray explained that this Committee, not the Auditor General, audits this agency.
Discussion ensued regarding the various administrative services provided to the Arizona Beef Council. Mr. Aja explained that his service is contracted through the Cattleman’s Association, and that the Council has no employees and a nine-member Board appointed by the Governor; he explained the process that the Council uses to secure services.
Chairman Gray stated that the request is for a ten year continuation, but that, due to Legislative term limits, he wondered what Mr. Aja would think about a five year sunset; Mr. Aja replied that there are many checks on the Council from other sources.
Chairman Gray asked if the Council did any internal audit, and how often; Mr. Aja explained that the Council comes under scrutiny by:
1. State Auditor General
2. Solicitor of US Department of Agriculture
3. annual procedural audits by Cattleman’s Beef Board
Discussion ensued about recent audits, recommendations, and compliance. Chairman Gray requested a copy of the most recent review and the policies and procedures manual which was developed to document existing practices and correct identified deficiencies.
Representative Brown stated that the Council is a well-handled state agency and expressed his opinion that Arizona needs to continue it and that he supports the ten year sunset.
Representative Kavanagh stated that any deficiencies seem to be procedural and that a seven year sunset might be advisable.
Representative Pancrazi stated her support for a ten year sunset.
Senator Arzberger stated that she supports a ten year sunset for these small, self-funded agencies.
Senator Johnson stated that Legislative members are to have oversight and that she is in favor of a five or a seven year time frame to bracket Legislative term limits.
Mr. Aja concurred that there can be some institutional gaps in the sunset process due to term limits, but stated that for agencies such as the Council, he prefers ten year sunset reviews.
Chairman Gray stated his opinion that the Beef Council has no problems and has responded to recommendations from the Beef Board, so there is no reason to scrutinize it; however, he stated, he agrees with Senator Johnson’s comments and is in favor of a seven year sunset review.
Recommendations by the Committee of Reference
Senator Johnson moved that the Senate Natural Resources and Rural Affairs and House Water and Agriculture Committee of Reference recommend the continuation of the Arizona Beef Council for seven years. The motion failed by a voice vote.
Senator Johnson moved that the Senate Natural Resources and Rural Affairs and House Water and Agriculture Committee of Reference recommend the continuation of the Arizona Beef Council for ten years. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Chairman Gray directed staff to draft Legislation to effect the motion.
Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board
Ms. Gnagy explained the statutory mandate of the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board to license and regulate veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary premises and crematoriums.
Presentation
Jenna Jones, AZ Veterinary Medical Examining Board, explained that this Board is self-funding and its mission is to protect the general welfare of the public and of animals. She described the Board which is comprised of nine members: five veterinarians and four public members, one of whom represents the cattle industry. She stated that the Board has five-and-a-half employees and two primary programs, licensing & regulation and investigation. She explained that their last sunset review was in 1997, and as a result of that they have changed their investigative process by instituting investigative committees.
Chairman Gray asked if any license renewal was ever denied. Discussion ensued about license renewals, continuing education hours, premise inspections, and complaint handling.
Ms. Jones concluded by requesting a ten year continuation.
Chairman Gray asked about a seven year versus a ten year continuation; Ms. Jones replied that because hers is a small agency with many projects underway and a good history, she asks for a ten year continuation.
Chairman Gray asked about the mission statement and any areas of improvement; Ms. Jones stated that they protect the public and that they have met their mandate. She further explained that information technology via their website is an area of improvement that is underway, and that they are working to improve the investigative process.
Chairman Gray asked about the complaint process and how they handle unfounded complaints; Ms. Jones described the processes which are followed, explaining that letters of concern may be issued. Ms. Jones added that the Veterinary Medical Association supports continuance and is available to testify.
Rick Crisler, AZ Veterinary Medical Examining Board, addressed the committee and explained that in the case of multiple complaints, each issue is handled individually.
Representative Pancrazi asked if the letters of concern are available to the public; Dr. Crisler explained that they are kept in files for ten years. Ms. Jones added that if the letter is disciplinary in nature, it is kept for twenty-five years and is available by request to the public.
Senator Arzberger stated her concern with “five-and-a-half” employees.
Recommendations by the Committee of Reference
Senator Johnson moved that the Senate Natural Resources and Rural Affairs and House Water and Agriculture Committee of Reference recommend the continuation of the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board for ten years. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Chairman Gray noted that three members were in favor of a seven year sunset due to legislative term limits, not to any activity of the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board.
Chairman Gray directed staff to draft Legislation to effect the motion.
Without objection, the meeting adjourned at 2:07 p.m.
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Jane Dooley, Committee Secretary
November 8, 2007
(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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SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES AND RURAL AFFAIRS AND
HOUSE WATER AND AGRICULTURE
COMMITTEE OF REFERENCE
2
November 8, 2007
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