SB 1281
Initials JH/MB Page 1 House Engrossed
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
Senate: MABS DP 7-0-0-0 |3rd Read 25-4-1-0
House: FMAE DP 7-0-0-0
SB 1281: adjutant general; duties
Sponsor: Senator Gowan, LD 19
House Engrossed
Overview
Alters requirements to be Adjutant General or Assistant Adjutants General and authorizes
the Adjutant General to establish Project Challenge, subject to legislative appropriation and
approval of the Governor.
History
The Adjutant General serves as the head of the Department of Emergency and Military
Affairs (DEMA) and acts as the Governor's military chief of staff. The National Guard of
Arizona is administered and controlled by the Adjutant General, subject to the orders of the
Governor who serves as commander in chief. Statute dictates certain additional duties the
Adjutant General may perform with the approval of the Governor (A.R.S. §§ 26-101, 26-102).
Provisions
1. Requires the Adjutant General be a resident of the state or establish a domicile in the
state for residency purposes within 90 days following their appointment. (Sec. 1)
2. Adds that the Adjutant General must meet any of the following criteria:
a) Have served two of the five years immediately preceding their appointment in the
National Guard in the state or territory where the person is an assigned member;
b) Have served at least two of the seven years immediately preceding their appointment
in the National Guard in the state or territory where the person is a member and
currently serving as a full-time or part-time general officer in the National Guard; or
c) Be a retired general officer who has been on military retired status for no more than
24 months before the projected appointment date and have served five years
immediately preceding the general officer's retirement. (Sec. 1)
3. Requires that when the Adjutant General is appointed, if they are not already a general
officer, they must attain federal recognition in a grade of at least brigadier general no
later than two years after their appointment. (Sec. 1)
4. States any person who is notified they are being considered for appointment must provide
evidence of compliance with current Army or Air Force standards or requirements
pertaining to medical eligibility and physical fitness. (Sec. 1)
5. Specifies the person must be in compliance at least 12 months before the date of
appointment. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note SB 1281
Initials JH/MB Page 2 House Engrossed
6. Requires a retired officer or officer not assigned or serving in the state who needs testing,
examination or documentation to the meet the appointment standards to obtain them at
no cost or liability to the Department or the State. (Sec. 1)
7. Directs records submitted to the State containing medical information must be handled,
distributed and retained in accordance with state and federal law. (Sec. 1)
8. Specifies only qualified military medical personnel can examine medical records to
determine if the person meets the necessary medical standards and cannot disclose
details of the person's health when attesting to if the person meets current medical
standards for military service. (Sec. 1)
9. Allows the Adjutant General to enter into a contract or agreement with an individual or
political subdivision of the state to facilitate the following:
a) training;
b) emergency operations;
c) maintenance of aircraft;
d) safety, including emergency medical services;
e) movement or storage of aircraft;
f) recruitment and retention of personnel for the National Guard of Arizona. (Sec. 2)
10. Removes the requirement for the Adjutant General to establish an educational program
designated Project Challenge. (Sec. 2)
11. Allows the Adjutant General to establish an educational program designated as Project
Challenge subject to the Governor's approval and legislative appropriations. (Sec. 2)
12. Designates the program for individuals who have dropped out of high school, are under
20 years old and not adjudicated delinquent. (Sec. 2)
13. Requires the program to be conducted by the National Guard of Arizona in a paramilitary
environment. (Sec. 2)
14. States the goal of the program is to provide knowledge and skills necessary for those
enrolled to become productive citizens and obtain general equivalency diplomas. (Sec. 2)
15. Allows the Adjutant General to accept and spend money from lawful public and private
sources to administer, operate and support the program. (Sec. 2)
16. Adds that the Assistant Adjutants General must meet all of the following:
a) Be appointed as general officers and possess the same legal qualifications as the
Adjutant General;
b) Receive federal recognition of their general officer rank within 24 months after
appointment; and
c) Receive federal recognition and be in compliance with current Army or Air Force
standards or requirements pertaining to medical eligibility and physical fitness. (Sec.
3)
17. Contains an emergency clause. (Sec. 5)
18. Contains technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1, 2, 3, 4)