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.