Assigned to FICO FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR H.J.R. 2001
Phoenix-Mesa gateway airport; reuse zone
Purpose
Designates the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport as a Military Reuse Zone (MRZ) until
October 19, 2031.
Background
In 1992, the Legislature established the MRZ Program to lessen the impact of military base
closures in Arizona by offering various tax incentives to qualifying businesses and projects within
a designated MRZ. To be eligible for MRZ designation, a property must be situated on a former
military facility used for active U.S Uniformed Services and include a runway of at least 8,000
feet. The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) oversees the MRZ Program and MRZs are
designated by the Governor in consultation with the CEO of the ACA. A termination date for the
MRZ must be set by the Governor within 10 years following designation. The Governor may
extend, in the final year before termination, the designation for an additional 10 years. Any
subsequent 10-year renewals may be granted by joint resolution of the Legislature and Governor
(A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 15, Article 3; ACA).
In 1996, Governor Fife Symington issued Executive Order 96-12 which designated the
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, formerly Williams Air Force Base, as an MRZ until August 2001.
Since the initial designation as an MRZ, the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport has been redesignated
as an MRZ three times for varying periods. The most recent extension expires on October 19, 2026
(EO 2001-14; EO 2006-15; and EO 2015-11).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Declares that the Legislature and Governor continue the designation of the Phoenix-Mesa
Gateway Airport as an MRZ for five years until October 19, 2031.
2. Requires the Secretary of State to transmit copies of the resolution to the City of Phoenix and
the City of Mesa.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
WM 2/14/24 DPA 10-0-0-0
3
rd
Read 2/26/24 56-0-3-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 6, 2024
MG/JC/cs