Statutes
The activities of the Arizona Commission of African-American Affairs (AZCAAA) are governed by Arizona Revised Statutes, which outline the duties and responsibilities that must or may be accomplished within a fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). These statutes provide the foundation for the Commission’s efforts to address the needs and priorities of Arizona’s African-American community.
- Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) Section 41-531-534
41-531. Arizona commission of African-American affairs
A. The Arizona commission of African-American affairs is established and consists of the governor, the superintendent of public instruction, the director of the department of health services, the director of the department of transportation, the attorney general, the director of the department of economic security, the director of the office of tourism and the chief executive officer of the Arizona commerce authority, or their representatives, who shall be ex officio members, and nine members who are appointed by the governor, seven of whom are African-American and two of whom are not African-American.
B. The term of office of each appointed member is three years. Each member shall hold office until the member's successor is appointed and qualifies. Appointment to fill a vacancy caused other than by expiration of a term shall be for the unexpired portion of the term.
C. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation.
D. The commission shall elect a chairperson and a vice-chairperson from among its appointed members and adopt rules for the conduct of meetings. A record shall be kept of all proceedings and transactions.
E. Section 41-2955, subsection D does not apply to the commission.
F. The commission shall meet at least quarterly on the second Thursday of the first month of each quarter and may hold additional meetings on the call of the chairperson. A majority of the appointed members of the commission constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but ex officio members may vote. Members who fail to attend three consecutive meetings are deemed to have resigned.
G. The appointed members of the commission shall employ, subject to chapter 4, article 4 of this title, an executive director of the commission who shall not be a member of the commission. The director is eligible to receive compensation as determined by the commission from monies available in the Arizona commission of African-American affairs fund established by section 41-533. The commission may employ clerical, professional and technical personnel subject to chapter 4, article 4 of this title and monies available in the Arizona commission of African-American affairs fund and shall prescribe their duties and determine their compensation.
41-532. Powers and duties; information; report
A. The commission shall assist and support state and federal agencies in assisting African-Americans in this state to develop mutual goals, to design projects for achieving goals and to implement their plans. The commission shall also:
1. Advise the governor on policies, procedures, legislation and rules that affect the African-American community and that will enable this state to be responsive to the needs of the African-American community.
2. Assist local African-American community groups in developing strategies and programs that will expand and enhance the social, cultural and economic status of the African-American community.
3. Develop, review and recommend to the governor policies in the areas of health and human services, housing, education, employment, business formation and development, public accommodations and contracting and procedures.
4. Serve as a liaison to federal, state and local agencies to ensure that programs affecting African-Americans are effectively used and that benefits accrue equitably to members of the African-American community.
5. Work for greater understanding and improved relationships between African-Americans and non-African-Americans by creating an awareness of the legal, social and economic needs of African-Americans in this state.
6. Where appropriate, conduct periodic conferences throughout this state to inform African-Americans of the opportunities available to them through state and private sources, to encourage them to share their history and culture with other Arizonans, to participate in the social and political processes of their communities and to learn from conference participants about their needs and problems.
B. State and local public officers and employees, on request, shall furnish the commission with information that it may require for its purposes except information that is not subject to disclosure pursuant to a provision of law.
C. The commission shall make a written annual report giving an account of its proceedings, transactions, findings and recommendations to the governor and the legislature and may submit the recommendations to the legislature in the form of proposed legislation.
D. The commission may apply for, accept, receive and spend public and private gifts or grants of money or property on those terms and conditions as imposed by the donor and for implementation of the commission's internal operations.
E. The commission may accept, receive and spend fees collected at the Arizona African-American town hall to defer expenses for the Arizona African-American town hall.
41-533. Arizona commission of African-American affairs fund
The Arizona commission of African-American affairs fund is established. The monies in the Arizona commission of African-American affairs fund are continuously appropriated to the Arizona commission of African-American affairs. The fund consists of monies received pursuant to section 41-532. The state treasurer shall invest and divest all monies in the Arizona commission of African-American affairs fund as provided by section 35-313, and monies earned from investment shall be credited to the fund. The Arizona commission of African-American affairs shall administer the fund. The monies in the fund are exempt from the provisions of section 35-190 relating to lapsing of appropriations.
41-534. African-American legislative day
A. The Arizona commission of African-American affairs shall annually facilitate an African-American legislative day on the second Thursday and Friday of February. The commission shall invite the legislature, governor and other elected officials to pay tribute to the history and culture of African-Americans and their contributions to the prosperity and cultural diversity of the United States. The commission shall schedule activities and discussions between state and community leaders on issues affecting African-American communities.
B. African-American legislative day is not a legal holiday.