Assigned
to GOV AS
PASSED BY COW
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
firefighters;
peace officers; PTSD; coverage
(NOW: theme park districts; formation)
Purpose
Modifies the requirements for the formation of a theme park district (district).
Background
The governing bodies of a city with a population of more than 1,000,000 persons and a county with a population of more than 125,000 persons and in which the city is located entirely in that county may establish a district. The population must be determined according to the most recent population estimate data produced by the Office of Economic Opportunity at the time the district is established. The district may include theme park sites in only the city establishing the district. The city and county must establish the geographical boundaries of the district, which must include only the sites of the theme parks and which must consist of only contiguous property. The district may be established with a single theme park site. Any additional site may be added after the district is initially established and the geographical boundaries of the district may be revised after it is initially established, except that the district must continue to exist of only contiguous property in that city (A.R.S. § 48-6202).
The district is governed by a board consisting of the following members: 1) one member of the governing body of the city establishing the district, elected by the governing body; 2) one member of the governing body of the county establishing the district, elected by the governing body; 3) one member of the general public who resides in Apache, Coconino, Mohave, Navajo or Yavapai County, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and 4) one member of the general public who resides in Maricopa County, appointed by the President of the Senate. Board members are appointed to four-year terms. The district board may provide for the construction, financing, furnishing and maintenance of one or more contiguous theme parks that must be located only in the city establishing the district. The district must own or lease all buildings and other improvements it constructs, renovates or redevelops subject only to liens and other security interests of record. The district may construct its facilities on real property owned or leased by the district or leased by the district from one or more site hosts in accordance with statute (A.R.S. §§ 48-6203 and 48-6231).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Decreases, from 1,000,000 persons to 500,000 persons, the population threshold for the governing body of a city to establish a district in conjunction with a county with a population of more than 125,000 persons.
2. Allows the governing body of a county with a population of more than 125,000 persons acting on its own to establish a district.
3. Allows the governing body of a city with a population of more than 500,000 persons acting on its own to establish a district.
4. Allows a district, if formed by a county in conjunction with a city or by a city acting on its own, to include theme park sites in only the city that is participating in establishing the district.
5. Requires the geographic boundaries of the district, if formed by a county acting on its own, to only be located in the unincorporated area of the county and include only sites of the theme parks.
7. Allows more than one district to be located in a city or county.
8. Limits the organization of a district to properties whose owners have consented to being included in the district, including any sites that are added after the district is initially established.
9. Requires the city, if a county does not participate in establishing the district, to elect two members of its governing body to be members of the board of directors of the district.
10. Requires the county, if a city does not participate in establishing the district, to elect two members of its governing body to be members of the board of directors of the district.
11. Requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives to appoint to the board of directors one member of the general public who resides in the city or county in which the district is located, rather than who resides in Apache, Coconino, Mohave, Navajo or Yavapai County.
12. Requires the President of the Senate to appoint to the board of directors one member of the general public who resides in the city or county in which the district is located, rather than who resides in Maricopa County.
14. Allows, if a city does not participate in establishing the district, the one or more theme parks to be located only in unincorporated areas in the county.
15. Makes technical and conforming changes.
16. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
· Adopted the strike-everything amendment.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
2. Clarifies that the governing body of a county with a population of more than 125,000 persons acting on its own may establish a district.
4. Allows a district, if formed by a county in conjunction with a city or by a city acting on its own, to include theme park sites in only the city that is participating in establishing the district.
5. Requires the geographic boundaries of the district, if formed by a county acting on its own, to only be located in the unincorporated area of the county and include only sites of the theme parks.
6. Requires the district, if formed by a county in conjunction with a city or a city acting on its own, to continue to consist of only contiguous property in that city.
7. Allows more than one district to be located in a county or city.
10. Requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives to appoint to the board of directors one member of the general public who resides in the city or county in which the district is located, rather than a member who resides in Apache, Coconino, Mohave, Navajo or Yavapai County.
11. Requires the President of the Senate to appoint to the board of directors one member of the general public who resides in the city or county in which the district is located, rather than a member who resides in Maricopa County.
12. Clarifies that the board of directors must enter into intergovernmental agreements with a city or county if the city or county participates in establishing the district.
13. Clarifies that, if a city does not participate in establishing the district, the one or more theme parks may be located only in unincorporated areas in the county, rather than at any place in the county.
14. Makes conforming changes.
Senate Action
GOV 3/21/24 DPA/SE 4-2-2
Prepared by Senate Research
May 22, 2024
JT/slp