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HB2451 - 572R - H Ver
House Engrossed
Arizona space
commission; strategic plan
State of Arizona
House of Representatives
Fifty-seventh Legislature
Second Regular Session
2026
HOUSE BILL 2451
AN
ACT
Amending section 41-1551.01, Arizona
Revised Statutes; relating to the Arizona space commission.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Section 41-1551.01, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is amended to read:
START_STATUTE
41-1551.01.
Arizona space commission; board of directors; membership; powers
and duties; annual strategic plan
A. The Arizona space commission is
established. The commission is governed by a board of directors
consisting of seven members who are appointed by the governor, three members
who are appointed by the president of the senate and three members who are
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
B. When making the appointments to the board
pursuant to subsection A of this section, priority shall be given to all of the
following:
1. Individuals with experience in any of the
following:
(a) Commercial aerospace.
(b) Civil aviation.
(c) Military aerospace.
(d) Space economic development.
(e) Space-related academic research.
(f) Nonprofit space economy support.
(g) Real estate.
(h) Finance.
2. Individuals with a master's degree or above in
any of the following disciplines:
(a) Space science.
(b) Space engineering.
(c) Space technology.
(d) Space business.
(e) Space leadership.
(f) Space policy.
(g) Space law.
(h) Space operations.
3. Individuals from an early stage start-up company
that focuses on the development and commercialization of new technologies
related to space.
4. Individuals with experience working in industries
that are based in this state and that are part of the space value chain or that
are in downstream industries with a significant presence in this state.
C. The initial members shall assign themselves by
lot to terms
of two, four and six years in office
expiring in 2027, 2029 and 2031
.�
If the initial appointments made PURSUANT to this SUBSECTION occur
after the term end date, the initial members' terms shall expire six years
after the term end date.
All subsequent members of the board
shall serve six-year terms in office. All vacancies shall be
filled in the same manner as the initial appointment within thirty days after
the vacancy.
D. The board shall:
1. Elect a chairperson from among the members of the
board.
2. Direct the activities of, establish goals for and
provide oversight of the commission.
3. Establish standards to ensure the proper use of
fund monies.
4. Identify research and funding opportunities
within this state that do the following:
(a) Strengthen and enhance this state's position in
civil, commercial and military aeronautics research and development and space
flight infrastructure.
(b) Enhance the integration of the space
aeronautics, astronautics and aviation industries in this state.
(c) Promote and research materials derived from or
developed through space exploration and space flight.
5. Promote and assist developing workforce training
to advance emerging technologies required for all aspects of space exploration.
6. Solicit proposals for funding and research
opportunities related to the objectives of this section.
E. The board may:
1. Appoint an ad hoc advisory committee as necessary
to carry out the board's duties pursuant to this section.
2. Acquire and convey property or an interest in
property in this state.
3. Engage in planning and implementing
of
astronautics and
aerospace-related
educational opportunities in this state.
F. The authority shall provide staff support to the
commission.
G. The commission shall develop and annually update
a strategic plan for promoting and expanding space, aeronautics and aviation in
this state, including a list of potential projects to further the purposes of
the commission. The commission shall include both of the following
for each potential project:
1. The estimated total cost for the project,
including any available matching state monies.
2. An assessment of the availability of external
funding sources.
H. The board shall conduct a hearing to review and
amend or approve the strategic plan.
I. On or before December 31,
2024
2026
and each even-numbered
year
thereafter, the commission shall submit the strategic plan to the governor, the
president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives.
END_STATUTE
Sec. 2.
Retroactivity
Section
41-1551.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, as amended by this act, applies
retroactively to from and after December 30, 2025.
Sec. 3.
Emergency
This
act is an emergency measure that is necessary to preserve the public peace,
health or safety and is operative immediately as provided by law.