The Arizona Senate has introduced S.B. 1083 to form the Arizona State Guard after the authorization passed last year. Senate President Pro Tempore Sylvia Allen, and republicans Steve Smith, Gail Griffin, Lori Klein, Al Melvin, Rick Murphy introduced the bill. Republican representative David Gowan and Terri Proud added their names to the legislation.
Title 26-174 subsection A of the Arizona Revise Statute—originally amended to authorize a guard—would be replaced with Subsections A and B to read:
A. An armed force, known as the Arizona state guard, is established for the purpose of securing the safety and protection of the lives and property of the citizens of this state. The intent of the Arizona state guard is to provide a mission-ready volunteer military force for use by this state in homeland security and community service activities as a supplement to the national guard of Arizona and state and local law enforcement agencies. The Arizona state guard exists as part of the militia under article XVI, section 2, Constitution of Arizona, and a defense force under 32 United States Code section 109.
B. The mission of the state guard is:
1. To support this state in securing the border with Mexico and supplement the efforts of law enforcement and state agencies.
2. Augment the national guard.
3. Support county and municipal leaders in combating international criminal activity.
4. Respond to natural and manmade disasters.
5. Search and rescue efforts.
6. Support community activities.
7. Other missions directed by the governor.