Assigned to FED AS PASSED BY COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1218
townsites; trustees; board of supervisors.
Purpose
Designates the trustee of a townsite as the county board of supervisors (county BOS) of
the county in which the townsite is located, rather than the judge of the superior court.
Background
The governing body of an incorporated city or town, or the judge of the superior court of
the county in which an unincorporated town is located, is the designated trustee to administer a
townsite trust. The trustee oversees the management and administration of a townsite, including
the authority to sell the land, convey sites for public purposes, dispose unclaimed lots and assess
and levy taxes on townsite lots. Before assuming the trustee's duties, the trustee must execute and
file a $2,000 bond with the county BOS. Within three months after an entry at the federal land
office of land for townsites, the trustee must have the land surveyed and platted into blocks, lots,
streets and alleys. A plat must be made as closely as possible to reflect the existing land use and
claims of the occupants. The plat must be submitted to and approved by the county BOS and
recorded in the office of the county recorder. Following the approval and recording, the streets and
alleys designated in the plat are permanently dedicated for public use (A.R.S Title 9, Chapter 10,
Article 1).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Designates the trustee of a townsite as the county BOS of the county in which the townsite is
located, rather than the judge of the superior court.
2. Requires a trustee's bond to the state to be filed with the county recorder, rather than the county
BOS, of the county in which the townsite is located.
3. Removes the requirement for the county BOS to approve a townsite plat.
4. Removes the requirement that appraisers for the disposal of unclaimed townsite lots are paid
$5 per day for each day engaged.
5. Makes technical and conforming changes.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
• Makes technical changes. FACT SHEET – Amended
S.B. 1218
Page 2
Senate Action
FED 2/10/25 DPA 7-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 11, 2025
AN/ci