REFERENCE TITLE: desalination; study committee

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-third Legislature First Regular Session 2017

HB 2231

Introduced by Representative Shooter

 

AN ACT

 

Establishing the desalination study committee.

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

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

Section 1.  Desalination study committee; membership; powers and duties; report; delayed repeal

A.  The desalination study committee is established consisting of the following members:

1.  Two members of the house of representatives who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and who are members of different political parties.  The speaker of the house of representatives shall designate one of these members to serve as cochairperson of the committee.

2.  Two members of the senate who are appointed by the president of the senate and who are members of different political parties.  The president of the senate shall designate one of these members to serve as cochairperson of the committee.

3.  One member who has experience with a desalting plant and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

4.  One member who has experience with other desalination projects and who is appointed by the president of the senate.

5.  Three members, one each from Arizona state university, the university of Arizona and northern Arizona university, who are faculty members with expertise in hydrology, desalination or another relevant field and who are appointed by the president of each member's respective university.

B.  The cochairpersons shall be members of different political parties.  The committee shall meet at the call of the cochairpersons.

C.  The committee shall:

1.  Collect information on the history and development of desalination in this state.

2.  Review data collected from operating desalting plants.

3.  Study opportunities for other desalination projects in this state.

D.  The committee may:

1.  Request information, data and reports from any county or state agency or political subdivision of this state.  If possible, information shall be provided electronically.

2.  Hold hearings, conduct fact-finding tours and take testimony from witnesses who may assist the committee in fulfilling its responsibilities.

E.  On request of the committee, an agency of this state must provide to the committee its services, equipment, documents, personnel and facilities to the extent possible without cost to the committee.

F.  The legislature shall provide staff and support services to the committee.

G.  The committee shall meet at the state capitol or at other locations as the cochairpersons deem necessary or convenient, and all meetings shall be open to the public.

H.  The members of the committee are not eligible to receive compensation but are eligible for reimbursement of expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes.

I.  On or before December 31, 2017, the committee shall submit a report regarding its findings and recommendations to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate and provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

J.  This section is repealed from and after September 30, 2018.