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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
adjutant general; duties
Purpose
Modifies existing and prescribes additional requirements for a person to qualify as the Adjutant General of Arizona (TAG) or an Assistant TAG. Allows, rather than requires, TAG to establish an educational program and authorizes TAG to enter into contracts and agreements to support the program.
Background
As Arizona's Commander in Chief, the Governor administers and controls the National Guard of Arizona (AZNG) and must appoint TAG to serve as the Director of the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs and act as the Governor's Military Chief of Staff and the AZNG's Commanding General. TAG must be a U.S. citizen, have served for two of the five years immediately preceding appointment in the National Guard where the person is an assigned member and establish domicile in Arizona for residency purposes within 90 days of appointment. TAG must meet qualifications required for state adjutant generals by the U.S. Department of Defense at the time of the appointment and attain federal recognition in a grade of at least brigadier general within two years of appointment. The Governor must appoint at least two Assistant TAGs for the AZNG's Army and Air Force service branches who are general officers and possess the same qualifications prescribed for TAG.
Among other responsibilities, TAG must establish and the AZNG must conduct an educational program, designated as Project Challenge, that provides the knowledge and skills necessary to become productive citizens and obtain a general equivalency diploma. In addition to legislative appropriations, TAG may accept and spend monies from any lawful public or private source for Project Challenge (A.R.S. §§ 26-101; 26-102; and 26-104).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
(Effective January 1, 2027)
1. Requires the person appointed as TAG to be a:
a) current state resident, as an alternative to establishing domicile for residency purposes; and
b) general officer who is currently serving, or a retired general officer who has been on retired status for no more than 24 months, with at least five years of service in the rank of colonel or higher in the National Guard in the state of the officer's assignment, as an alternative to serving two of the five years immediately preceding appointment.
2. Stipulates that the TAG must attain federal recognition in a grade of at least brigadier general only if TAG is not already a general officer.
3. Instructs a person who is currently serving and is notified of being considered for appointment to, before appointment and by the deadline stipulated, provide evidence of good standing with current Army or Air Force requirements for military service, depending on the branch of service, to the Governor-designated agency, department or office.
4. Instructs a retired general officer who is selected for appointment to, within six months after the date of appointment, provide evidence of good standing with current Army or Air Force requirements for military service, depending on the branch of service, to the Governor.
Miscellaneous
6. Expands the qualification requirements for assistant TAGs to include:
a) being assigned in the AZNG and appointed as general officers of the AZNG, rather than being general officers;
b) receiving federal recognition of general officer rank within 24 months of appointment; and
c) at the time of federal recognition, being in good standing with current Army or Air Force standards or requirements, depending on the branch of service, for military service.
7. Allows, rather than requires, TAG to establish Project Challenge.
8. Allows TAG, with approval from the Governor, to enter into a contract or agreement with an individual or political subdivision of the state to facilitate:
a) emergency operations or safety, including emergency and medical services;
b) maintenance, movement or storge of aircraft; or
c) training or recruitment and retention of personnel for the AZNG.
9. Subjects the requirements for Project Challenge to the approval of the Governor and legislative appropriations.
10. Specifies that TAG may accept and spend monies to administer, operate and support Project Challenge.
11. Makes technical and conforming changes.
12. Becomes effective on the general effective date, with a delayed effective date as noted.
Amendments Adopted by the House of Representatives
1. Modifies the qualification requirements for a person appointed as TAG to include state residents and general officers with at least five years of service in the rank of colonel or higher.
2. Stipulates that the TAG must attain federal recognition in a grade of at least brigadier general only if TAG is not already a general officer.
3. Requires the TAG appointee to provide evidence of good standing with current Army or Air Force requirements for military service, as prescribed.
4. Terminates a TAG appointment for failing to meet service standards or other qualifications within the time prescribed.
5. Expands the qualification requirements for assistant TAGs to include being assigned and appointed as general officers of the AZNG, receiving federal recognition of rank within 24 months of appointment and being in good standing with current Army or Air Force standards or requirements for military service.
6. Makes technical and conforming changes.
7. Adds a delayed effective date.
Senate Action House Action
MABS 2/3/25 DP 7-0-0 FMAE 3/26/25 DP 7-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/27/25 25-4-1 3rd Read 6/4/25 41-11-8
Prepared by Senate Research
June 6, 2025
KJA/NRG/slp