HB 2264

House Engrossed
mining; mineral;
  museum; state history
State of Arizona
House of Representatives
Fifty-seventh Legislature
Second Regular Session
2026
CHAPTER 24
HOUSE BILL 2264
AN
ACT
Amending sections 27-106 and 27-111,
Arizona Revised Statutes; RELATING to the Arizona geological survey.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Section 27-106, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is amended to read:
START_STATUTE27-106. Duties of Arizona geological survey; mining, mineral and natural resources educational museum;
definition
A. Under the operation, management and authority of
the university of Arizona, the Arizona geological survey shall:
1. Map and describe the bedrock and related geologic
materials and processes in this state, as follows:
(a) Prepare geologic maps that show the distribution
of rock formations and surficial materials at the surface and in the
subsurface.
(b) Describe the character of rock and surficial
materials, including their age, origin and physical and chemical properties.
(c) Map, describe and monitor known and potential
geologic hazards and limitations to land and resource management.
(d) Map and characterize energy and mineral
resources and identify areas that may have potential for future discoveries.
2. Provide objective, scientific information about
the geologic character of this state as follows:
(a) Provide timely, courteous responses to requests
for information, advice and assistance from the public.
(b) Maintain a computerized bibliographic database
of maps and reports on the geology of this state that is accessible to the
public.
(c) Maintain an internet website that includes
information about the Arizona geological survey, products and services
available and the geologic character of this state.
(d) Give lectures and talks, conduct workshops, lead
field trips and provide information and assistance to public, educational and
professional groups.
(e) Publish reports and other information, written
in nontechnical terms, to inform those who are not trained in geology about the
geologic character of this state.
3. Prepare all data files of known areas of earth
fissures, produce maps of those areas with overlays showing affected counties,
cities, towns, highways and streets and transmit the maps in printed and
electronic format to the state real estate department for the purposes of
providing public access to the earth fissure maps pursuant to this paragraph
and section 32-2117. The Arizona geological survey shall
provide any map to any member of the public in printed or electronic format on
request.� The following notice shall be displayed below each map:
Notice
The state of Arizona has made a reasonable effort to ensure
the accuracy of this map when it was produced, but errors may be present and
the state of Arizona does not guarantee its accuracy.� The map supplements, and
is not a substitute for, a professional inspection of property for defects and
conditions.
4. Operate and maintain a central repository and a
computerized database for reports, books, maps and other publications regarding
the geology, mining and mineral resources and associated
technologies. Such repository and database shall be available for
the use of the public and may be located at or connected with the university of
Arizona or another state university or agency of this state. All
databases and other archival materials shall be maintained in a secure and retrievable
format and at a location prescribed by the state geologist to protect and
preserve information from damage or destruction.
5. Utilize the services and expertise of the
universities of this state at the discretion of the state geologist.
6. Cooperate with local, county, state and federal
agencies.
7. Provide quality mining data, evaluation and
assistance relating to mining and mineral development to the legislature,
federal, state and local governmental agencies and the public.
8. Serve as a source of mining information and data
necessary or advisable to attain its objectives. The Arizona board
of regents may establish reasonable fees for publications and other services of
the Arizona geological survey.
9. Cooperate with the corporation commission in its
investigations and administration of laws relating to the sale of mining
securities.
10. Keep an annually updated database relating to
existing mines in this state that would allow municipalities and counties to
identify areas with mineral and aggregate mines for planning purposes required
under sections 9-461.05 and 11-804.
B. In coordination with the mining, mineral and
natural resources educational museum advisory council established by section 27-111,
the university of Arizona shall operate and maintain a mining, mineral and
natural resources educational museum as the state depository for collecting,
cataloging and displaying mining, mineral and natural resources artifacts and
specimens. In connection with the mining, mineral and natural
resources educational museum, the university of Arizona may:
1. Promote the recognition and celebration of the
historical, cultural, economic and social contributions to this state made by
the mining, mineral and natural resources industries in this state, including
the livestock and agricultural industries.
2. Apply for and accept grants, gifts, bequests of
legacies of real or personal property, donations, including donations of time,
services and materials, or any other contribution, financial or otherwise, for
use in accordance with the direction of the donor or, in the absence of an
express direction, as prescribed by the university of Arizona.� Monies received
pursuant to this paragraph shall be deposited in a separate mining, mineral and
natural resources educational museum account in the geological survey fund
established by section 27-107 to be used exclusively for the maintenance,
restoration and operations of the mining, mineral and natural resources
educational museum.
3. Accept from the federal or state government, any
local government or any of their agencies restricted and unrestricted monies
made available to this state for the mining, mineral and natural resources
educational museum.
4. Establish and collect entrance fees to the
mining, mineral and natural resources educational museum.
5. Operate a retail gift shop, including the
acquisition, purchase and resale of mining, mineral and natural resources
specimens and related items.
6. Employ a curator for the mining, mineral and
natural resources educational museum who possesses knowledge or experience in
natural resources and operating a museum.
7. Operate educational programming for the mining,
mineral and natural resources educational museum.
8. Accept the services of volunteers and provide
oversight for their activities.
9. Pay the necessary maintenance and operation
expenses of the mining, mineral and natural resources educational museum.
C. The university of Arizona:
1. Under the advisement of the mining, mineral and
natural resources educational museum advisory council, shall adopt a
collections management policy that is consistent with national standards and
best practices for museums in the United States established by a national
association of museums.
2. Shall maintain the items, artifacts and other
inventory received for display or storage, including equipment and outdoor
displays.
3. In coordination with the mining, mineral and
natural resources educational museum advisory council and pursuant to the
standards and best practices adopted pursuant to paragraph 1 of this
subsection, may sell or otherwise dispose of materials received for the mining,
mineral and natural resources educational museum.
4. Shall operate, manage and maintain the mining,
mineral and natural resources educational museum at the location where it is
housed on August 9, 2017 consistent with this article.
5. In coordination with the mining,
mineral and natural resources educational museum advisory council, shall
promote the history of this state, including the importance of the five C's.�
For the purposes of this paragraph, "five C's" means copper, cattle,
citrus, climate and cotton. END_STATUTE
Sec. 2. Section 27-111, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
START_STATUTE27-111. Mining, mineral and natural resources educational museum advisory
council; membership; duties; terms; compensation
A. The mining, mineral and natural resources educational museum advisory
council is established consisting of the following members who, except for the
members designated pursuant to paragraphs 1, 9, 10 and 11 of this subsection,
are appointed by the governor:
1. The state geologist or the state geologist's
designee.
2. One member representing the livestock industry.
3. Two members representing the mining industry.
4. One member representing the agriculture industry.
5. One member representing the tourism industry.
6. One member representing the timber industry.
7. One member who is knowledgeable in gems and
minerals.
8. Two members representing the public.
9. One member of the house of representatives who is
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
10. One member of the senate who is appointed by the
president of the senate.
11. One member who is knowledgeable in museum
operations and management and who is appointed by the
president of the university of Arizona.
B. The advisory council shall:
1. Select a chairperson and vice-chairperson from
among its members.
2. Hold regular meetings and additional meetings at
the call of the chairperson or a majority of its members.
3. Provide advice to the university of Arizona
regarding the mining, mineral and natural resources educational museum and
assist in promoting the mission of the museum, including the
IMPORTANCE of promoting the history of this state and the five C's. The
university of Arizona shall accept the recommendations of the advisory council
if the state geologist finds them to be practicable and in the best interest of
the mining, mineral and natural resources educational museum. For
the purposes of this paragraph, "five C's" means copper, cattle,
citrus, climate and cotton.
4. Establish a subcommittee to provide assistance
and advice in the areas of educational programming, the hiring and retention of
a curator and oversight of mineral collections. The advisory council
may establish subcommittees to act in an advisory capacity on other matters
relevant to the mining, mineral and natural resources educational museum and
the advisory council's duties.
C. The initial members appointed pursuant to
subsection A, paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of this section shall assign
themselves by lot to three, four and five year terms of office. All
subsequent members serve four-year terms of office. A member
may continue to serve until the member's successor is appointed and assumes
office.
D. Members of the advisory council are not eligible
to receive compensation but are eligible for reimbursement of expenses pursuant
to title 38, chapter 4, article 2.� The advisory council is a public body for
purposes of title 38, chapter 3, article 3.1. END_STATUTE
APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR APRIL 7, 2026.
FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE APRIL 07, 2026.