SB 1538 Summary

• Establishes the Office of New Americans within the Department of Economic Security to serve as a point of contact on immigration issues for state agencies, licensing boards, the media, and the public.

• Office duties include responding to immigration inquiries, analyzing economic and demographic trends, developing strategies to attract and retain immigrants, gathering data on immigrant issues, and providing matching grants for immigration and economic development programs.

• Creates an advisory committee to the Office of New Americans consisting of seven state agency directors (as ex officio members) and eleven members appointed by the governor representing organizations focused on immigrant integration, immigration law, higher education, business, language resources, banking, workforce training, healthcare, human services, and refugee resettlement.

• Committee members serve three-year terms (appointed members only) and are not compensated but may receive expense reimbursement; the committee must recommend policies to attract and retain immigrants and conduct at least one public hearing annually on improving state services for immigrants.

• Committee may conduct studies, issue reports, and establish ad hoc work groups to support the Office's mission of integrating immigrants into Arizona.