AZ SB1514

Transfers administration of natural resource conservation districts from the State Land Department to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, with the state forester serving as the state natural resource conservation commissioner.

Adds the state forester as an ex officio member of the Arizona Water Protection Fund Commission and requires the state forester to be consulted on water protection fund matters.

Updates statutory language throughout the natural resource conservation district statutes to reflect the departmental transfer and modernize terminology (e.g., "farm lands" to "farmlands," "per cent" to "percent").

Expands the state forester's duties to include serving as natural resource conservation commissioner, recognizing districts' special expertise in land, soil, water and natural resources management.

Effective date: December 31, 2019, with all existing contracts, orders, personnel, property, records and appropriations relating to natural resource conservation districts transferring to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.