REFERENCE TITLE: public program access study committee

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

2021

SB 1809

Introduced by

Senators Peshlakai: Alston, Contreras, Engel, Gonzales, Navarrete, Quezada, Rios, Steele

AN ACT

Establishing the tribal and rural public program access study committee.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

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

Section 1. Tribal and rural public program access study committee; members; duties; report; delayed repeal

A. The tribal and rural public program access study committee is established consisting of the following seven members, all of whom must reside in a county with a population of less than two hundred thousand persons and four of whom must be members of different Indian tribes:

1. One member of the house of representatives who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. 

2. One member who is the chairperson of the indigenous peoples caucus and who is appointed by the president of the senate.

3. One member who is a member of an Indian tribe and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

4. One member who is a member of an Indian tribe and who is appointed by the president of the senate.

5. One member who is currently a county supervisor and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

6. Two members who are currently county supervisors and who are appointed by the president of the senate.

B. The committee shall address issues relating to tribal and rural resident access to public programs, including:

1. Reviewing the location of state resources, such as department of economic security offices and personnel to determine unemployment compensation and public program eligibility, in tribal and rural communities.

2. Examining barriers to applying for and maintaining eligibility for unemployment compensation and public programs in tribal and rural communities.

3. Evaluating the geographic accessibility of state resources and programs in tribal and rural communities.

4. Reviewing alternatives to online applications for public programs for residents of tribal and rural communities who do not have broadband services or electricity.

C. On or before December 31, 2022, the committee shall submit a report regarding the committee's findings and recommendations to the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate and shall provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

D. This section is repealed from and after September 30, 2023.