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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
board of library examiners; continuation
Purpose
Continues the Board of Library Examiners, the State Board on Geographic and Historic Names (Geographic Names Board) and the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records (State Library) for eight years. Modifies membership of Geographic Names Board and the term lengths of certain Board of Library Examiners members.
Background
The Board of Library Examiners is composed of the Director of the State Library, the librarian of the University of Arizona, the librarian of the Phoenix Public Library and two county librarians appointed by the Director of the State Library. The Board of Library Examiners passes upon the qualifications of persons desiring to become county librarians and may adopt rules to carry out the Board's purposes (A.R.S. § 11-906).
The Geographic Names Board consists of nine members appointed by the Governor and the heads of specified state agencies and organizations. The powers and duties of the Geographic Names Board include: 1) receiving and evaluating all proposals for changes or additions to names of geographic features and places of historical significance; 2) cooperating with political subdivisions to eliminate the duplication of the names of geographic features that are not of historical significance; and 3) receiving and evaluating all proposals to establish or designate a highway or area as a parkway, historic road or scenic road that is of geographic or historical significance in Arizona (A.R.S. § 41-835.03).
The State Library is housed within the Office of the Secretary of State and must provide: 1) access to materials relating to specified statutory subjects; 2) a general and legal reference service; and 3) a records management and archives program (A.R.S. § 41-151.01). The State Library must contain all available works, books and other materials pertaining to the history of Arizona, copies of public archives and current reports, public documents and publications of state, county, and municipal officers and institutions (A.R.S. § 41-151.08).
The Senate Government Committee of Reference (COR) held a public meeting on January 9, 2020, to consider the Board of Library Examiners responses to the sunset factors and receive public testimony. The COR recommended that the Legislature continue the Board of Library Examiners for eight years (COR final report).
The Senate Government COR and House Government COR held a joint public meeting on January 9, 2020, to consider the Geographic Names Board's and State Library's responses to the sunset factors and receive public testimony. The CORs recommended that the Legislature continue the Geographic Names Board and State Library for eight years (COR minutes).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2020, the Board of Library Examiners, the Geographic Names Board and the State Library until July 1, 2028.
2. Repeals the Board of Library Examiners, the Geographic Names Board and the State Library on January 1, 2029.
3. Expands the Board of Library Examiners membership to include a position-at-large, appointed by the Director of the State Library.
4. Requires county librarian members of the Board of Library Examiners to serve three-year terms, rather than a one-year term.
5. Eliminates the requirement that county free library employees whose duties require special training:
a) be classified in grades established by the county librarian and approved by the Board of Library Examiners;
b) pass an examination appropriate to the position; and
c) disclose satisfactory experience in library work.
6. Modifies the Geographic Names Board membership by:
a) adding a third public member;
b) requiring one of the public members to be a current or former elected tribal official; and
c) designating the member appointed by the State Library as an advisory and non-voting member.
7. Contains a purpose statement.
8. Makes technical and conforming changes.
9. Becomes effective on the general effective date, with a retroactive provision as noted.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
1. Continues the Geographic Names Board and the State Library for eight years.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
Senate Action
GOV 2/10/20 DPA 7-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 12, 2020
MH/CS/kja