The proposed bill would establish the Department of Natural Resources, which would oversee the acquisition and management of all state lands, as well as create the Commission on Natural Resources to administer related laws. The bill introduces new definitions and clarifications regarding "state lands," specifying that it includes lands owned by the state that are not state trust lands and acquired after the effective date of the amendment, while excluding certain lands acquired by universities or the Department of Transportation. Additionally, the bill allows the Department to hold or convey state lands and grants the Director the authority to issue, deny, or modify permits related to natural resource extraction.

Current statutes would be updated to reflect these changes, including the removal of outdated language and the addition of new provisions regarding the structure and responsibilities of the Commission. The Commission would consist of five members appointed by the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House, with specific terms and conditions for removal. The bill also outlines the operational framework for the Commission, including meeting requirements and quorum stipulations, thereby modernizing the governance of natural resources in Arizona.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 33-1705
Senate Engrossed Version: 37-101, 37-281.02, 37-331.01