HB 2865 Summary

• Transfers natural resource conservation district oversight from the Arizona State Land Department (Title 37) to a newly established State Natural Resource Conservation Board (Title 41, Chapter 58), effective with board appointment by the governor, senate president, and house speaker.

• Establishes the State Natural Resource Conservation Board with 11 members: 8 from different geographic natural resource areas (with at least 6 being elected district supervisors), and 3 appointed state agency representatives, with a termination date of July 1, 2032.

• Creates the Natural Resource Conservation District Fund for grants to districts and soil and water conservation districts, with up to 10% of fund monies available for board administration and annual reporting requirements to the governor and legislature.

• Updates environmental special plate fund distribution to be administered by the new board rather than the state land commissioner, maintaining $5,000 annual allocation to districts with established education centers.

• Makes conforming amendments to statutes referencing natural resource conservation districts in Arizona tax code (Title 43), water protection fund provisions (Title 45), and water conservation grant program (Title 49).