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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
Arizona space commission; board; membership
Purpose
Effective January 1, 2027, modifies the membership of the Arizona Space Commission (Commission) Board of Directors and requires the Lieutenant Governor to serve as Chairperson.
Background
Laws 2024, Chapter 140 establishes the Commission and the Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund with the purpose of identifying research and funding opportunities that enhance Arizona's position in civil, commercial and military aeronautics research and development and space flight infrastructure. The Commission is governed by a Board of Directors (Board) that consists of 13 appointed members that serve six-year terms, except for the initial members of the Board who must assign themselves by lot to terms of two, four and six years in office. The Commission must elect a chairperson from among the Board members and develop and annually update a strategic plan for promoting and expanding space, aeronautics and aviation in Arizona, including a list of potential projects to further the purposes of the Commission. Each potential project must include: 1) the estimated total cost for the project, including any available matching state monies; and 2) an assessment of the availability of external funding sources. By December 31, 2024, and each even-numbered year thereafter, the Commission must submit the strategic plan to the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Decreases the number of gubernatorially appointed Board members from seven to six.
2. Requires the Lieutenant Governor to be a Board member and to serve as chairperson, rather than a chairperson who is elected from among members of the Board.
3. Requires the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to serve on the Board as nonvoting advisory members who are not counted for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum.
4. Grandfathers all persons serving as Board members on January 1, 2027, to continue to serve on the Commission until the expiration of their normal terms.
5. Requires all subsequent appointments to the Board to be as prescribed by statute.
6. Makes conforming changes.
7. Becomes effective on January 1, 2027.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 11, 2026
KJA/KM/ci