41-1504
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41-1504. Department powers and duties A. The department shall: 1. Formulate policies, plans and programs designed to encourage orderly planning and stimulate economic activity and the development and use of solar energy in this state and to effectuate this chapter. 2. Stimulate and encourage all local, state, regional and federal governmental agencies and all private persons and enterprises that have similar and related objectives and purposes, cooperate with the agencies, persons and enterprises and correlate department plans, programs and operations with those of the agencies, persons and enterprises. 3. Conduct research on its own initiative or at the request of the governor, the legislature or state or local agencies pertaining to any department objectives. 4. Provide information and advice on request of any local, state or federal agencies, private persons and business enterprises on matters within the scope of department activities. 5. Consult with and make recommendations to the governor and the legislature on all matters concerning department objectives. 6. Make annual reports to the governor and the legislature on its activities, its finances and the scope of its operations. 7. Undertake a comprehensive research program designed to: (a) Establish the department as the central repository and clearinghouse for all data relating to this state's economy, energy and other resources as they relate to economic planning and development. (b) Maintain a current inventory of the resources of this state. (c) Investigate potential opportunities for the development of energy, industry and other commerce throughout this state. 8. Promote and encourage the location of new business in this state as well as the maintenance and expansion of existing business in this state. Such programs shall include a special focus on fostering the recruitment and development of industries in the nonmetropolitan communities in this state. 9. Receive, administer and disburse federal energy monies for energy programs that benefit this state. 10. Determine and collect registry fees for the administration of the allocation of federal tax exempt industrial development bonds and student loan bonds authorized by the department. Such monies collected by the department shall be deposited, pursuant to sections 35-146 and 35-147, in a department bond fund. Monies in the fund shall be used, subject to annual appropriation by the legislature, by the department to administer the allocations provided in this paragraph and are exempt from section 35-190. 11. Determine and collect security deposits for the allocation, for the extension of allocations and for the difference between allocations and principal amounts of federal tax exempt industrial development bonds and student loan bonds authorized by the department. Security deposits forfeited to the department shall be deposited in the state general fund. 12. Encourage the development, use and conservation of solar energy and other renewable energy sources. 13. Establish and oversee the operations of export and import trade and tourism offices in the Far East, the Republic of Mexico and Europe for the purpose of expanding export trade opportunities for businesses and industries located in Arizona if after research the department determines that such establishment and oversight are feasible. 14. Establish and oversee the operations of a part-time export and import trade and tourism office in Japan if an office has not been established in Japan pursuant to paragraph 13 of this subsection and a part-time export and import trade and tourism office in Canada for the purpose of expanding export trade opportunities for businesses and industries located in this state if the department determines that such establishment and oversight are feasible. 15. On or before the conclusion of each calendar quarter, report to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives on the activities of the department relating to economic planning and development. The report shall include the status of the long-range strategic plan. 16. Establish a minority and women-owned business development program to promote the economic development of minority and women-owned business enterprises. The program shall provide data relating to minority and women-owned businesses and shall promote utilization and development of the state's minority and women entrepreneurs. 17. Establish a small business advocate office to promote the creation, growth and vitality of Arizona small businesses and to act as an advocate for small business interests before the governor, the legislature and state agencies as well as the community at large. 18. Cooperate with the Arizona-Mexico commission in the governor's office and with researchers at universities in this state to collect data and conduct projects in the United States and Mexico on issues that are within the scope of the department's duties and that relate to quality of life, trade and economic development in this state in a manner that will help the Arizona-Mexico commission to assess and enhance the economic competitiveness of this state and of the Arizona-Mexico region. 19. Through its clearinghouse on grant information, maintain data regarding grants awarded by state agencies and universities. On or before December 1 of each year, each state agency and university shall submit a report to the department that includes information about each grant awarded by the state agency or university in the preceding fiscal year. The information shall include the amount of each grant, the recipient of each grant and the purpose of each grant. 20. Be the state registration agency for apprenticeship functions prescribed by the federal government. B. The department, through the director, may: 1. Employ administrative, secretarial and clerical assistants and contract for the services of outside advisers, consultants and aides reasonably necessary or desirable to enable the department to adequately perform its duties. 2. Contract and incur obligations reasonably necessary or desirable within the general scope of department activities and operations to enable the department to adequately perform its duties. 3. Utilize any media of communication, publication and exhibition in the dissemination of information, advertising and publicity in any field of its purposes, objectives or duties. 4. Adopt rules deemed necessary or desirable to govern its procedures and business. 5. Contract with other agencies in furtherance of any department program. 6. Use monies, facilities or services to provide matching contributions under federal or other programs that further the objectives and programs of the department. 7. Accept gifts, grants, matching monies or direct payments from public or private agencies or private persons and enterprises for the conduct of programs that are consistent with the general purposes and objectives of this chapter. C. The department shall not advocate or take a position on any special direct tax on any resident of this state for a sports facility or venue. |