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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
Arizona geological survey; analysis; division
Purpose
Transfers the Resource Analysis Division of the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) from the ASLD to the Arizona Geological Survey and requires the State Geologist to collaborate with the ASLD to fulfill the duties of the Resource Analysis Division of the Arizona Geological Survey and advise the ASLD on request.
Background
The Resource Analysis Division is established within the ASLD and must: 1) establish a clearinghouse of information and a central repository for geospatial data and statewide geographic information system services; 2) provide geographic information system service and geospatial data for the ASLD and other public agencies in Arizona; 3) facilitate the sharing of geospatial data and geographic information system services among all public agencies to address the needs of Arizona; 4) prepare standards and specifications for developing, maintaining and sharing geospatial data and geographic information system services; 5) function as the Arizona affiliate office for national geographic information systems and geospatial data coordination initiatives; 6) establish a liaison relationship with statutorily outlined federal, state and local government organizations; 7) identify federal, state, regional, tribal and local government and private sector geospatial data and geographic information system services to include in clearinghouse; and 8) coordinate the development and maintenance of a geospatial public land survey system and cadastral database with responsible federal, state and local agencies (A.R.S. §§ 37-172 and 37-173).
The Resource Analysis Division may: 1) apply for and accept grants,
contributions and appropriations for carrying out its functions; 2) contract
for professional services if such work or services cannot be satisfactorily
performed by its employees or by any other state agency;
3) request and utilize the advice and services of all federal, state, local and
regional agencies; and 4) correspond, confer and represent its own interest or
the interest of any political subdivision on request (A.R.S.
§ 37-174).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Transfers the Resource Analysis Division of the ASLD from the ASLD to the Arizona Geological Survey.
2. Requires the State Geologist to collaborate with the ASLD to fulfill the duties of the Resource Analysis Division of the Arizona Geological Survey and advise the ASLD on request.
3. Allows the State Geologist to engage the services of employees of the Resource Analysis Division and have reasonable access to the data and other resources of the ASLD.
4. Requires the State Geologist, on request of the ASLD Commissioner, to update the maps and inventories of the aggregate resources located on lands under the jurisdiction of the ASLD and include areas of aggregate resources discovered since the previous publication.
5. Requires monies received by the Resource Analysis Division pursuant to the statutory requirements relating to the Arizona Geological Survey to be promptly deposited by the Administrator of the Resource Analysis Division in the Geological Survey Fund.
6. Requires the Arizona Geographic Information Council (Council) to advise the Arizona Geological Survey, rather than the Arizona State Cartographer's Office, on matters related to geospatial data sharing and appropriate strategies to support a geospatial clearinghouse and statewide geographic information system.
7. Requires the Council prioritize user requirements on matters related to geographic information systems, geospatial data, technologies, products, services, standards, programs and activities to the Arizona Geological Survey.
8. Transfers all unexpended and unencumbered monies remaining in the Resource Analysis Division Revolving Fund to the Geological Survey Fund on the general effective date.
9. Declares that the Resource Analysis Division of the Arizona Geological Survey succeeds to the authority, powers, duties and responsibilities of the Resource Analysis Division of the ASLD.
10. Specifies that the outlined requirements relating to the transfer of the Resource Analysis Division from the ASLD to the Arizona Geological Survey do not alter the effect of any actions that were taken or impair the valid obligations of the Resource Analysis Division of the ASLD in existence before the general effective date.
11. Determines that the administrative rules and orders that were adopted by the Resource Analysis Division of the ASLD continue in effect until superseded by administrative action by the Resource Analysis Division of the Arizona Geological Survey.
12. Transfers all administrative matters, contracts and judicial and quasi-judicial actions, whether completed, pending or in process, of the Resource Analysis Division of the ASLD on the general effective date to the Resource Analysis Division of the Arizona Geological Survey and specifies that the administrative matters, contracts and judicial or quasi-judicial actions maintain the same status.
13. Specifies that all certificates, licenses, registrations, permits and other indicia of qualification and authority that were issued by the resource analysis division of the ASLD retain their validity for the duration of their terms of validity as provided by law.
14. Transfers all equipment, records, furnishings and other property, all data and investigative findings, all obligations and all appropriated monies that remain unexpended and unencumbered on the general effective date of the Resource Analysis Division of the ASLD to the Resource Analysis Division of the Arizona Geological Survey.
15. Transfers all personnel who are under the state personnel system and employed by the Resource Analysis Division of the ASLD to comparable positions and pay classifications in the respective administrative units of the Resource Analysis Division of the ASLD on the general effective date.
16. Repeals statutorily prescribed requirements relating to the definitions of the Resource Analysis Division of the ASLD and the Resource Analysis Division Revolving Fund.
17. Defines geospatial data as digital data using geographic or projected map coordinate values, identification codes and associated descriptive data to locate and describe boundaries or features on, above or below the surface of the Earth or characteristics of the Earth's inhabitants or its natural or human-constructed features.
18. Defines administrator, geographic information system, public agency and resource analysis division.
19. Makes technical and conforming changes.
20. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
NREW 2/12/26 DP 6-4-0-0
3rd Read 2/23/26 32-25-3
Prepared by Senate Research
March 13, 2026
SB/hk