Arizona 2024 2024 Regular Session

Arizona House Bill HB2254 Comm Sub / Analysis

Filed 04/17/2024

                      	HB 2254 
Initials AF/MT 	Page 1 	Transmitted 
 
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Fifty-sixth Legislature 
Second Regular Session 
House: APPROP DPA/SE 15-1-0-1 | 3
rd
 Read 47-12-0-1 
Senate: MAPS DP 7-0-0-0 | 3
rd
 Read 18-9-3-0 
Final Pass: 43-16-1-0  
 
HB 2254: health care decisions; living wills 
NOW: Arizona space commission; research fund 
Sponsor: Representative Wilmeth, LD 2 
Transmitted to the Governor 
Overview 
Creates the Arizona Space Commission (Commission) under the Arizona Commerce 
Authority (ACA). 
History 
Laws 1991, Chapter 118 created the Commission to serve as Arizona's coordinator of all 
space-related commercial and technological partnerships and provide expertise to 
government entities on the development of the space-related industry in Arizona. In 2001, 
the Commission was continued for 10 years but terminated on July 1, 2011 (Laws 2001, 
Chapter 29). 
Provisions 
Arizona Space Commission 
1. Establishes, under the ACA, the Commission, which is governed by a thirteen-member 
Board of Directors (Board), of whom seven are appointed by the Governor, three by the 
President of the Senate and three by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (Sec. 
1) 
2. Directs the following individuals to be given priority in their appointment to the 
Commission: 
a) individuals with experience or advanced degrees in outlined fields; 
b) individuals from a start-up company that focuses on new space-related technologies; 
and  
c) experienced individuals in Arizona-based industries that are part of the space value 
chain or in downstream industries with a significant presence in Arizona. (Sec. 1) 
3. Provides requirements for Board member's terms in office and Board vacancies. (Sec. 1) 
4. Prescribes the duties of the Board which include: 
a) direct the activities of and establish goals for the Commission; 
b) establish standards to ensure the proper use of fund monies; 
c) identify research and funding opportunities within this state; 
d) promote and assist developing workforce training to advance emerging technologies 
required for all aspects of space exploration; and 
e) solicit proposals for funding and research opportunities. (Sec. 1) 
5. Allows the Board to: 
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes)     ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes)      ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note    	HB 2254 
Initials AF/MT 	Page 2 	Transmitted 
a) appoint an ad hoc advisory committee as necessary to carry out the duties of the 
Board; 
b) acquire and convey property or an interest in property in Arizona; and 
c) engage in planning and implementing of aerospace-related educational opportunities 
in Arizona. (Sec. 1) 
6. Requires the ACA to provide support staff to the Commission. (Sec. 1) 
7. Instructs the Commission to develop and annually update a strategic plan for promoting 
and expanding space, aeronautics and aviation in this state, including a list of potential 
projects to further the purposes of the Commission. (Sec. 1) 
8. Specifies the list of potential projects must include:  
a) the estimated total cost for the project, including any available matching state monies; 
and 
b) an assessment of the availability of external funding sources. (Sec. 1) 
9. Directs the Board to conduct a hearing to review and amend or approve the strategic 
plan and to submit the plan to the Governor and Legislature by December 31, 2024, and 
each even-numbered year thereafter. (Sec. 1) 
Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund 
10. Establishes the Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund (Fund) consisting of 
legislative appropriations and gifts, grants and donations. (Sec. 1) 
11. Specifies monies in the Fund are continuously appropriated and may be used to provide 
grants to businesses or nonprofit organizations that are involved in the space exploration 
or aeronautics industry or to a governmental entity with which the Board has entered 
into an intergovernmental agreement. (Sec. 1) 
12. Specifies the Board administers the Fund and may use up to 10% of Fund monies for 
administrative costs. (Sec. 1) 
13. Outlines the purposes for which grant monies must be used. (Sec. 1)  
14. Permits the Board to provide grants for multiyear projects and specify the total amount 
of monies approved to fund each project. (Sec. 1) 
15. Requires the Board to prioritize project grants that are located within 50 miles of a 
Federal Aviation Administration-licensed spaceport and grants related to space defense 
and commercial use. (Sec. 1) 
16. Requires the Board to establish standards to ensure that grant recipients purchase goods 
and services from Arizona suppliers to the extent reasonably possible. (Sec. 1) 
17. Directs each grant recipient to submit a report to the Board that describes how grant 
monies were spent and a summary of any findings. (Sec. 1) 
18. Requires the Board to prescribe a simplified form and procedure to apply for grants. (Sec. 
1)  
Miscellaneous 
19. Defines pertinent terms. (Sec. 1)