Arizona Commerce Authority

Revision Date: 
Friday, September 2, 2016

Previous:  Department of Commerce.

Authority:

Created by Laws 2011, Second Special Session, Chapter 1 and Laws 2012, Chapter 170 (conforming amendments).  Statutory authority is found at A.R.S. §§41-1501 et seq.

Function:

The Arizona Commerce Authority (Authority) was established “to facilitate the beneficial economic growth and development of this state and to promote prosperity through the development and protection of the legitimate interests of Arizona business, industry and commerce within and outside this state.”  (Laws 2018, Chapter 66, Section 4 - Purpose.)

History:

Background 
The Authority was established by Governor Jan Brewer (Executive Order 2010-12) which created a public-private board of directors to provide private sector leadership and support to diversity the state economy, create new jobs, and attract businesses.   Prior to creation of the Arizona Commerce Authority, many of these duties were housed in the Arizona Department of Commerce. (See administrative history for the Arizona Department of Commerce, elsewhere in this document.)

Session Laws
Laws 2011, Second Special Session, Chapter 1 created the Arizona Commerce Authority which replaced the former Arizona Department of Commerce. The Authority succeeded to the authority, powers, duties and responsibilities of the Arizona Department of Commerce (Sec. 128). The measure prescribed the mission of the Authority and outlined the duties of the Board of Directors; transferred most responsibilities from the Arizona Department of Commerce to the Authority, and transferred certain duties to the Governor’s Energy Office and to the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona; established the Rural Business Development Advisory Council; created the Arizona Commerce Authority Fund; and established the Arizona Competes Fund, consisting of a portion of lottery monies. 

The measure also directed Legislative Council to prepare conforming legislation related to the creation of the Authority for consideration during the 2012 legislative session (Section 136).  Laws 2012, Chapter 170 contained conforming amendments that fulfilled the requirement.

Laws 2016, Chapter 114 continued the Authority for two years (until 2018) and incorporated recommendations made by the Auditor General during the sunset review process.  The measure required the Board of Directors to: 1) post an annual report on the progress made toward the goals of the Authority with regard to jobs creation, capital investment and higher average wages; and 2) develop and implement written policies relating to the grants awarded by the Arizona Competes Fund.

Laws 2018, Chapter 66 required the Authority to maintain three FTEs to serve as advocates for small and rural businesses regarding economic development, regulatory matters and to support efforts related to small business growth and regulation.  The measure also continued the Authority for six years, until July 1, 2024.

Sources:

  • Arizona Revised Statutes §§41-1501 et seq.
  • Session Laws
    • Laws 2011, Second Special Session, Chapter 1
    • Laws 2012, Chapter 170
    • Laws 2016, Chapter 114
    • Laws 2018, Chapter 66

Arizona Commerce Authority website

Performance Audit and Sunset Review, Arizona Commerce Authority, 2015

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RELATED COLLECTIONS AT ARIZONA STATE ARCHIVES:

Record Group 140 – Department of Commerce