Arizona Department of Homeland Security

Authority

The Arizona Department of Homeland Security was established by Laws 2006, Chapter 317, replacing the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security.  Statutory authority is found at A.R.S.§§41-4251 et seq.

Function

The Arizona Department of Homeland Security (Department) was established to enhance the ability of the state to prevent and respond to acts of terrorism and other critical hazards. The Department provides strategic direction to develop regional capability and capacity to prevent terrorist attacks, enhance border security and reduce vulnerability to threats and hazards that affect the safety, well-being and economic security of Arizona citizens.

The Director of the Department, appointed by the Governor, is required to develop a statewide homeland security strategy and is authorized to manage federal grants awarded to the state for homeland security purposes. Statute establishes a Senior Advisory Committee, a Joint Legislative Committee on Homeland Security and five Regional Advisory Councils.

History

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security was created by Governor Napolitano in 2003. The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military affairs served as the state agency to administer homeland security funds. In 2006, the legislature established the Department of Homeland Security to prevent and respond to acts of terrorism and other critical hazards. That measure also created the Department of Homeland Security Coordinating Council, the Joint Legislative Committee on Homeland Security and five Regional Advisory Councils.

In 2008, legislation was enacted requiring owners of fuel facilities to provide a written report to the Director regarding measures taken by the operators to protect the security of the infrastructure. The measure requires the Director to issue a report every five years, beginning in 2010, with recommended security measures for fuel facilities. Although the report must be submitted to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the operator of the fuel facility, maintenance and use of the report is bound by confidentiality protocols. Recipients of the reports are bound by confidentiality protocols as well.

Laws 2009, Chapter 25 replaced the Coordinating Council with the Senior Advisory Committee and increased the number of members on the regional advisory councils from 12 to 14.

Sources

• A.R.S.§§41-4251 et seq.
• Session Laws
  • Laws 2006, Chapter 317
  • Laws 2008, Chapter 262
  • Laws 2009, Chapter 25
• Master List of State Programs www.ospb.state.az.us