Commission on the Arizona Environment (1986-1996)

Revision Date: 
Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Authority (Repealed)

The Commission was originally established by Executive Order as the Governor’s Commission on Arizona Beauty in 1965 and renamed in subsequent executive orders in 1970 and 1975.

Laws 1985, Chapter 326 established the Commission on the Arizona Environment in statute. The provisions were initially codified in Arizona Revised Statutes as A.R.S. §§41-995 through 41-995.03 and were subsequently transferred and renumbered in 1986 as A.R.S. §§49-121 through 49-124. Commission statutes were repealed on January 1, 1997.

Function

Originally created by Governor Goddard executive order in 1965, the Legislature established the Commission in statute by Laws 1985, Chapter 326. The Commission was required to develop recommendations related to the state’s environment and facilitate public awareness programs regarding environmental matters. The measure included a purpose clause which stated:

“Statewide change and growth have created major problems relating to the Arizona environment. Protection and enhancement of the Arizona environment are important goals for all Arizonans. The goals and objectives of the Commission on Arizona Environment are to preserve and enhance the quality of Arizona’s total environment, to work to prevent destruction or degradation of Arizona’s total environment and to balance a natural environment with a healthy economy.”

History

Governor Goddard created the 27-member Governor’s Commission on Arizona Beauty by Executive Order in November 1965 to address concerns regarding air and water quality, pollution, littering and blight. A professional Advisory Committee was also established, consisting of representatives of state and federal agencies to assist the Commission. See Goddard Executive Order 65-4.

A subsequent executive order issued by Governor Williams modified membership to include 30 members. See Executive Order 67-2.

In 1970, Governor Williams established the Advisory Committee on Arizona Environment, which replaced the Governor’s Commission on Arizona Beauty. Executive Order 70-4 amended and superseded Executive Order 67-2, modified Commission duties and changed the number of Commission members.

In 1975, Governor Castro amended and superceded previous executive orders, renaming the Commission as the Governor’s Commission on the Arizona Environment to act as a clearinghouse and means of exchange of opinion and information relating to the Arizona environment. See Executive Order 75-2.

Laws 1985, Chapter 326 established in statute the Commission on the Arizona Environment, consisting of 11 members appointed by the Governor to terms of six years. The measure prescribed Commission membership, organization and duties and authorized the Commission to hire an executive director and to name an advisory council. The Commission was required to develop recommendations on the state’s environment, coordinate public awareness programs, communicate with a broad range of stakeholders including the business and academic communities, develop a consensus for its conclusions, and provide annual reports, by December 15 each year, to the Governor and Legislature. The measure transferred personnel, equipment and data from the Governor’s Commission on the Arizona Environment, effective July 1, 1986 and staggered the initial terms for Commission members. The measure also included a sunset termination date for the Commission of July 1, 1996 and a repeal of its statutory provisions on January 1, 1997.

Laws 1986, Chapter 368 established the Department of Environmental Quality effective July 1, 1987 to administer state programs on water quality, air quality, solid waste and hazardous waste. A lengthy measure which created a new title in Arizona Revised Statutes, it also transferred and renumbered Commission statutes, from A.R.S. §§ 41-995 through 41-995.03 to A.R.S. §§ 49-121 through 49-124. The measure made technical and conforming changes related to the Advisory Council within the Commission and also included an effective date of July 1, 1987.

Laws 1988, Chapter 103 allowed the Commission to sell publications and deposit the revenue from the sales into the existing revolving fund. The measure also established revolving funds for two other agencies, the Department of Real Estate and the State Parks Board.

Laws 1990, Chapter 374 granted additional authorities to the newly-established Department of Agriculture, which had been created by Laws 1989, Chapter 162. The measure added a representative from the Department of Agriculture to the advisory council on the Arizona environment.

Laws 1991, Chapter 8, Section 10, established a termination date of July 1, 1996 for the Commission on the Arizona Environment and a repeal of Commission statutes on January 1, 1997.

Laws 1993, Second Special Session, Chapter 4 increased the amount of monies in the Arizona Environment Revolving Fund subject to reversion at the end of each fiscal year, from $25,000 to $75,000.

In October 1995, the Arizona Auditor General issued a performance audit which recommended the Legislature consider sunsetting the Commission. See Auditor General Report No. 95-6. The House of Representatives Environment Committee and Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee of Reference (COR) met on November, 9 1995 to consider the Auditor General’s report and the Commission’s response. After testimony and discussion, the COR recommended the Commission be continued for two years. Legislation reflecting the recommendation was introduced the following year.

In 1996, Senate Bill 1420 was introduced to continue the Commission based on the 1995 recommendations of the COR. The bill included modifications to Commission duties and reporting requirements, included an appropriation, and would have continued the Commission until July 1, 1998. The measure passed the Senate and House of Representatives and the bill was vetoed by the Governor on May 2, 1996. As a result, the Commission was repealed.

Sources

  • Arizona Revised Statutes
  • Session Laws
    • Laws 1985, Chapter 326
    • Laws 1986, Chapter 368
    • Laws 1988, Chapter 103
    • Laws 1990, Chapter 374
    • Laws 1991, Chapter 8
    • Laws 1993, Second Special Session, Chapter 4

 

Executive Orders

Arizona Auditor General Performance Audit: Commission on the Arizona Environment. Report to the Arizona Legislature, October 1995. Report No. 95-6. 

Commission on the Arizona Environment : final sunset report, 1995

Governor Fife Symington Veto Letter; May 2, 1996. Journal of the Senate, 1996, at PDF p. 535

Related collections at Arizona State Archives

  • Record Group 161 – Commission on the Arizona Environment, 1965-1996