26-261

26-261. Military affairs commission; definition

A. The military affairs commission is established. Through December 31, 2010, the commission membership consists of the following members:

1. Three members who are appointed by the president of the senate, who serve at the pleasure of the president of the senate and who include the following:

(a) One member who is knowledgeable in military affairs and who represents the long-term interests of a military installation.

(b) One member who represents private property interests in the territory in the vicinity as defined in section 28-8461.

(c) One member who represents the interests of a city, town or county.

2. Three members who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, who serve at the pleasure of the speaker of the house of representatives and who include the following:

(a) One member who is knowledgeable in military affairs and who represents the long-term interests of a military installation.

(b) One member who represents private property interests in the territory in the vicinity as defined in section 28-8461.

(c) One member who represents the interests of a city, town or county.

3. Nine members who are appointed by the governor, who serve at the pleasure of the governor and who include the following:

(a) Three members who are knowledgeable in military affairs and who represent the long-term interests of a military installation.

(b) Three members who represent private property interests in the territory in the vicinity as defined in section 28-8461.

(c) Three members who represent the interests of a city, town or county.

B. From and after December 31, 2010, the commission membership consists of:

1. Thirteen members who are appointed by the governor and who include the following:

(a) Ten members who reside in a community in which a military installation is located. Of this group, five members shall have expertise in military affairs and five members shall be local elected officials.

(b) Three members who represent private property interests in the territory in the vicinity as defined in section 28-8461.

2. One member who represents private property interests in the territory in the vicinity as defined in section 28-8461 and who is appointed by the president of the senate.

3. One member who represents private property interests in the territory in the vicinity as defined in section 28-8461 and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

4. Four nonvoting advisory members who are not counted for the purpose of determining a quorum consisting of:

(a) The adjutant general or a designee of the adjutant general.

(b) A representative from a military installation commander who is appointed by the governor.

(c) A representative from a federal agency involved in land use issues who is appointed by the governor.

(d) The state land commissioner or a designee of the commissioner.

C. The military affairs commission shall have geographic diversity in its membership. The governor shall designate two of the governor's appointees as cochairpersons of the commission. Members or designees of the commission shall not send alternates to represent them at commission meetings. The voting members shall serve six-year terms.

D. The department of emergency and military affairs shall staff the commission.

E. The commission shall:

1. Meet at least annually.

2. Meet on a regular basis with the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives, either individually or collectively, to provide recommendations on military issues and report on the progress of the military affairs commission.

3. Annually meet with the appropriate legislative committees that have jurisdiction over military installations.

4. Advise the governor and the legislature on matters affecting the operational viability of Arizona military facilities including military installations, military training routes, military restricted airspace, military ranges or areas under the jurisdiction of an active unit of the uniformed armed services of the United States or any reserve or national guard component of the uniformed armed services of the United States.

5. Develop criteria, including accountability requirements, for awarding monies from the military installation fund established by section 26-262.

6. Review applications for monies to be awarded from the military installation fund.

7. Annually recommend to the department of emergency and military affairs a priority listing of monies with available resources.

8. Recommend to the department of emergency and military affairs how the monies in the military installation fund should be awarded.

9. Proactively assist with coordination among the United States military operating in Arizona, the congressional delegation, the governor, the state legislature and state and local leaders.

10. Recommend executive, legislative and federal actions necessary to sustain military operations and enhance the state's preparedness to respond to potential new missions and prevent military facilities from closure or downsizing.

11. Study issues relating to veterans, active duty, national guard and reserve members of the United States armed forces and other military quality of life issues.

F. For the purposes of this section, "military installation" means a military airport or ancillary military facility as defined in section 28-8461 or any real property that services, supports or is used by the military.