Assigned to MABS FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1281
adjutant general; duties
Purpose
Allows, rather than requires, the Adjutant General of Arizona (Adjutant General) to
establish an educational program and authorizes the Adjutant General to enter into contracts and
agreements to support the program.
Background
The Adjutant General, who serves as the Director of the Department of Emergency and
Military Affairs, must be a U.S. citizen and establish residency in Arizona within 90 days of
appointment. The person appointed must meet qualifications required for the Adjutant General by
the U.S. Department of Defense and attain federal recognition in a grade of at least Brigadier
General within two years of the appointment (A.R.S. § 26-101).
The Adjutant General must establish an educational program, designated as Project
Challenge, for any person who has previously dropped out of high school, is under 20 years old
and is not an adjudicated delinquent. The National Guard of Arizona must conduct Project
Challenge in a paramilitary environment with the goal of providing the knowledge and skills
necessary to become productive citizens and obtain a general equivalency diploma. In addition to
legislative appropriations for Project Challenge, the Adjutant General may accept and spend
monies from any other lawful public or private source (A.R.S. § 26-102).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows, rather than requires, the Adjutant General to establish Project Challenge.
2. Allows the Adjutant General, with approval from the Governor, to enter into a contract or
agreement with an individual or political subdivision of the state to facilitate:
a) emergency operations or safety, including emergency and medical services;
b) maintenance, movement or storge of aircraft; or
c) training or recruitment and retention of personnel for the National Guard of Arizona.
3. Subjects the requirements for Project Challenge to the approval of the Governor and legislative
appropriations.
4. Specifies that the Adjutant General may accept and spend monies to administer, operate and
support Project Challenge. FACT SHEET
S.B. 1281
Page 2
5. Makes technical and conforming changes.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 30, 2025
KJA/NRG/ci