Arizona Senate Bill SB1561

Arizona 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/23

Caption

Appropriation; infrastructure grant program

Impact

The bill outlines that the grant funds can be directed towards projects designed to assist low-income communities, especially in deploying or benefiting from zero emission technologies. This reflects a commitment to environmental sustainability and community support through infrastructure investment, and will likely facilitate additional funding opportunities by requiring recipients to show availability of private investment and partnerships.

Summary

SB1561 is a legislative measure introduced in the Arizona Senate, aimed at appropriating $30 million from the state general fund for the fiscal year 2023-2024. The funds are designated to support the Arizona infrastructure grant program, which will be administered by the Arizona commerce authority. This initiative intends to foster investment in infrastructure improvements and support non-profit organizations exempt from federal taxation under specific legal criteria.

Contention

One notable aspect of SB1561 is the stipulation that the Arizona commerce authority may not utilize more than one percent of the appropriated funds for the administration of the grant program. This condition ensures that a significant majority of the funding is directed towards actual grant awards. However, there is potential contention regarding the prioritization of zero emission technologies and whether such projects fairly serve the immediate needs of various community stakeholders across the state.

Additional_notes

The strategic focus on leveraging private investment aligns with broader federal funding opportunities under relevant federal law, showcasing a comprehensive approach to tackling infrastructure disparities within Arizona. Such legislation presents a step towards more equitable resource allocation, especially for underfunded local communities.