Assigned to COM                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       FOR COMMITTEE
 
 
 
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
 
 
office of Sonora; continuation
Purpose
                      Continues the Office of Sonora for eight years.
Background
                      In
1993, the Legislature established the Office of Sonora within the Governor's
Office. The Office of Sonora facilitates the implementation of the North
American Free Trade Agreement, and the flow of information, commercial
relationships, educational and training exchange programs and tourism growth
between Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. The Office of Sonora must: 1) assist the
Arizona-Mexico Commission; 2) support activities of various state agencies in
Sonora, Mexico; 3) contract with or assist other departments, agencies and
institutions of the state, local and federal government to further the Office
of Sonora's purposes, objectives and programs;
4) contract and enter into interagency and intergovernmental agreements with
any private party or public agency; and 5) inform and advise, on request and
within the scope of the Office of Sonora, local, state and federal agencies and
private citizens, business enterprises and community organizations (A.R.S.
  41-107).
                      The Senate Commerce
Committee of Reference (COR) held a public meeting on Wednesday, January 13,
2021, to review and consider the Office of Sonora's responses to the
statutorily outlined sunset factors and receive public testimony. The COR
recommended that the Legislature continue the Office of Sonora for eight years,
until July 1, 2029 (COR
Final Report). The Office of Sonora terminates on July 1, 2021, unless
continued by the Legislature (A.R.S.
  41-3021.07).
                      There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1.   Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2021, the Office of Sonora until July 1, 2029.
2.   Repeals the Office of Sonora on January 1, 2030.
3.   Contains a purpose statement.
4.   Becomes effective on the general effective date, with a retroactive provision as noted.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 1, 2021
LB/MC/kja