Which Arizona local government records belong to the State Library, and which Arizona special districts and unincorporated communities have to comply with the State Library's records retention rules?

Plain-English summary

State Librarian Joan Clark sent the AG three drafting questions about the State Library Statute (A.R.S. §§ 41-151 through -151.24), which governs how Arizona handles public-record preservation, retention, and disposition. The statute is dense and uses the word "agencies" in different ways across different sections, which had created confusion about who has to do what.

AG Brnovich's three answers:

1. The unmodified word "agencies" doesn't have a single meaning. The statute reads context-by-context. § 41-151.05 (rulemaking consultation) draws in both state and local agencies because the Director's rulemaking covers both county libraries and state publications. § 41-151.12 (records management program) captures both because the surrounding subsections expressly mention "agencies of the state or its political subdivisions." § 41-151.21 (historic state property) is limited to state agencies because the section itself defines "agency" as state-level only.

2. Records of unincorporated communities are not State property; records of Title 48 special taxing districts are not State property either. § 41-151.15(A) makes State property out of records "made or received by public officials or employees of this state or the counties and incorporated cities and towns." Unincorporated communities and Title 48 districts are not on that list, and the omission is treated as deliberate. But preservation duties are a separate question: even if records aren't State property, an entity may still be required to preserve them.

3. Title 48 special taxing districts ARE public bodies and ARE subject to record preservation rules. They qualify under both halves of the public-body definition: they're political subdivisions under Article 13, § 7 of the Arizona Constitution, and they're tax-supported districts under A.R.S. § 48-101 et seq.

4. Unincorporated communities are NOT public bodies. A community must incorporate to become a city or town under A.R.S. § 9-101. Neither "communities" nor "localities" appear in § 39-121.01(A)(2)'s list of public bodies. Records preservation duties under § 41-151.15 don't reach them.

5. All public bodies are subject to § 41-151.19's disposition consultation rule. Public officers must consult the State Library before disposing of records. The State Library decides whether records have legal, administrative, historical, or other value, and prescribes disposition methods.

The opinion preserves the structural difference between "ownership" of records (which is what § 41-151.15 addresses) and "responsibility" for their preservation and management (which is what § 41-151.19 and § 39-121.01(C) address). An entity can have a duty to preserve records that are not the State's property.

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 2015. Subsequent statutory amendments, court decisions, or later AG opinions may have changed the analysis. Treat this page as historical context, not current legal advice. Verify current law before relying on any specific rule, deadline, or remedy mentioned here.

Background and statutory framework

The Arizona State Library was established in its modern form in 1976. It serves three functions for state and local government records: depository, archives, and central records management. The State Archives at A.R.S. § 41-151.09 receives all "official books, records and documents not in current use" of state officers and departments. Counties, municipalities, and other public officials may either retain archival materials or deposit them with the State Library, at their option.

The "public body" definition at A.R.S. § 39-121.01(A)(2) is the load-bearing concept. It includes:

• The State of Arizona
• Counties, cities, towns, school districts
• Political subdivisions
• Tax-supported districts
• Branches, departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, councils, committees of any of the above
• Any public organization or agency supported in whole or in part by state or political-subdivision funds, or expending such funds

The opinion uses two interpretive principles: the expressio unius canon (a list excludes the unlisted) and the requirement to give plain language its ordinary meaning when undefined.

For unincorporated communities, the AG's reasoning is that the Legislature's omission of "communities" and "localities" from the public-body list, and its definition of unincorporated communities in § 9-101 as something distinct from cities or towns, signals deliberate exclusion. Without public-body status, the records-preservation chain doesn't engage.

For Title 48 special taxing districts, the AG built the public-body conclusion from constitutional text. Article 13, § 7 explicitly says "[i]rrigation, power, electrical, agricultural improvement, drainage, and flood control districts, and tax levying public improvement districts . . . shall be political subdivisions of the state." Title 48's enabling statutes (A.R.S. § 48-101 et seq.) establish them as tax-supported districts. The opinion cites a 1990 AG opinion (I90-0444) that reached the same conclusion for the Salt River Project, an agricultural improvement and power district.

Section 41-151.19 sets up the consultation pipeline. Before disposing of any records, a public officer must consult with the State Library. The State Library decides whether the records have legal, administrative, historical, or other value. Records of no value are disposed of by methods the State Library specifies.

Common questions

Q: I run a small Title 48 irrigation district. Do I have to preserve our records?
A: Under this opinion, yes. As a political subdivision and tax-supported district, your district is a public body, and § 41-151.15 requires public bodies to preserve their records.

Q: Are my records State property?
A: No, under this opinion. § 41-151.15(A) lists state offices, counties, and incorporated cities and towns as the sources of records that become State property. Title 48 districts aren't on that list. Your records are your district's property, but you're still responsible for preserving them.

Q: We're an unincorporated community in rural Arizona. Do we need to follow the State Library's records rules?
A: Under this opinion, no. The opinion reads § 9-101 as making unincorporated communities something distinct from public bodies, and the public-body definition in § 39-121.01(A)(2) does not include them.

Q: Before we destroy old paperwork, do we have to ask the State Library?
A: If you're a public body (counties, cities, towns, school districts, special taxing districts, political subdivisions, agencies supported by public funds), yes. § 41-151.19 requires consultation. The State Library decides whether records have value and prescribes the disposal method.

Q: What about an HOA or a private nonprofit?
A: Neither is a public body under § 39-121.01(A)(2) (assuming no significant public funding that would draw the entity in under the "supported in whole or in part" clause). The State Library Statute doesn't reach them.

Citations and references

Statutes and constitutional provisions:

• A.R.S. §§ 41-151 to -151.24 (State Library Statute)
• A.R.S. § 39-121.01 (public records definitions)
• A.R.S. § 9-101 (city/town incorporation)
• A.R.S. § 48-101 et seq. (special taxing districts)
• Ariz. Const. art. 13, § 7

Cases:

• Stein v. Sonus USA, Inc., 214 Ariz. 200 (App. 2007)
• Estate of Hernandez v. Ariz. Bd. of Regents, 177 Ariz. 244 (1994)
• State v. Ault, 157 Ariz. 516 (2008)
• Circle K Stores, Inc. v. Apache Cnty., 199 Ariz. 402 (App. 2001)

Earlier AG opinions:

• Ariz. Att'y Gen. Op. I90-0444 (Salt River Project as public body)

Source

• Landing page: https://www.azag.gov/opinions/i15-010-r15-012
• Original PDF: https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/2025-06/I15-010.pdf

Original opinion text

To:

Joan Clark

State Librarian and Director

Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records

Questions Presented

You have asked the following questions about the statute establishing the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records ("State Library"), Arizona Revised Statutes Sections 41-151 through -151.24 ("State Library Statute"):

Is it accurate to interpret "agencies" when used alone to include both state and local agencies?

Are the records of an unincorporated city or town the property of the State? Are the records of Title 48 special taxing districts property of the State?

Is it accurate to state that Section 41-151.19, which concerns records disposition, applies beyond counties, cities and towns, and special taxing districts to also include "public bodies" as that term is defined at Section 39-121.01(A)(2)?

Summary Answers

No. While the term "agencies" occasionally appears unmodified in some sections of the State Library Statute, the plain language of subsequent provisions of those same sections make clear whether they apply to state agencies, local agencies, or both.

By the plain terms of Section 41-151.15, neither the records of unincorporated communities nor those of Title 48 special taxing districts are the property of the State. Because unincorporated communities are not "public bodies" under Arizona public records law, they are not subject to Section 41-151.15's record preservation requirements. In contrast, Title 48 special taxing districts are public bodies and, accordingly, their records must be preserved as Section 41-151.15 requires.

Yes, all "public bodies" as defined by Section 39-121.01(A)(1) are subject to Section 41-151.19's record disposition requirements. A.R.S. § 39-121.01(C).

Background

Although the State Library can trace its roots to the first Arizona Territorial Library in 1863, the Legislature established the State Library in its current form in 1976. 1976 Ariz. Sess. Laws 326-38. The State Library is required to contain "[c]opies of current official reports, public documents and publications of state, county and municipal officers, departments, boards, commissions, agencies and institutions, and public archives." A.R.S. § 41-151.08(A)(1). The State Library also "is the central depository of all official books, records and documents not in current use of the various state officers and departments of this state, the counties and incorporated cities and towns." A.R.S. § 41-151.09(A). The latter materials constitute the State Archives. Id. Whereas State officers must deposit State or territorial archival material with the State Library, "[a]ny county, municipal or other public official" has the option of either retaining archival materials or depositing them with the State Library for preservation. Cf. A.R.S. § 41-151.09(B) and A.R.S. § 41-151.09(C).

The State Library's Director is responsible for preserving and managing "records." A.R.S. § 41-151.12(A). As defined by the Library Statute, "'records' means all books, papers, maps, photographs or other documentary materials . . . made or received by any governmental agency in pursuance of law or in connection with the transaction of public business." A.R.S. § 41.151.18. Among other duties, the State Library's Director must establish standards and procedures for managing, retaining, and disposing of "records" so defined. A.R.S. § 41-151.12(A)(1), (3).

The State Library Statute should be construed with Arizona public records statutes. Section 41-151.15 provides that every "custodian of public records shall carefully protect and preserve the records." Section 41-151.19 provides that "[e]very public officer who has public records in the public officer's custody shall consult periodically with the state library and the state library shall determine whether the records in question are of legal, administrative, historical or other value."

These State Library Statute requirements correspond with the following public records law requirement:

Each public body shall be responsible for the preservation, maintenance and care of that body's public records, and each officer shall be responsible for the preservation, maintenance and care of that officer's public records. It shall be the duty of each such body to carefully secure, protect and preserve public records from deterioration, mutilation, loss or destruction, unless disposed of pursuant to §§ 41-151.15 and 41-151.19.

A.R.S. § 39-121.01(C).

Analysis

1. By Its Terms, The State Library Statute Makes Clear When the Term "Agencies" Applies to State Agencies, Local Agencies, or Both.

"Our task in interpreting the meaning of a statute is to fulfill the intent of the legislature that wrote it." State v. Williams, 175 Ariz. 98, 100 (1993). "In determining the legislature's intent, we initially look to the language of the statute itself." Bilke v. State, 206 Ariz. 462, 464 ¶ 11 (2003). If the statute's language is clear, we apply it "unless application of the plain meaning would lead to impossible or absurd results." Id.

The State Library Statute does not define the term "local agency." Accordingly, the term "shall be construed to the common and approved use of the language." A.R.S. § 1-213; Circle K Stores, Inc. v. Apache Cnty., 199 Ariz. 402, 408, ¶ 18 (App. 2001) ("By declining to define a statutory term, the legislature generally intends to give the ordinary meaning to the word."). Black's Law Dictionary defines the term "local agency" as follows: "A political subdivision of a state. Local agencies include counties, cities, school districts, etc." Black's Law Dictionary 68 (8th ed. 2004).

A number of State Library Statute sections apply expressly to both state and local agencies. Specifically, Section 41-151.07 applies to "state and local institutions and governmental units." A.R.S. § 41-151.07(2). Section 41-151.08 applies to "state, county and municipal . . . agencies." A.R.S. § 41-151.08(A)(2). Section 41-151.09 applies to "the various state officers and departments of this state, the counties and incorporated cities and towns." A.R.S. § 41-151.09(A). Section 41-151.14 applies to "[t]he head of each state and local agency" and "[t]he governing body of each county, city, town or other political subdivision." A.R.S. § 41-151.14(A), (B), (C). Section 41-151.15 applies to "this state or the counties and incorporated cities and towns of this state." A.R.S. § 41-151.15(A). And Section 41-151.16 applies to "[e]ach agency of this state or any of its political subdivisions." A.R.S. § 41-151.16(A).

The term "agencies" appears unmodified in only three State Library Statute sections. But in each case, provisions directly following the term's initial use clarify the extent to which the subsection applies to local agencies.

The first provision, Section 41-151.05 provides that "[a]fter consultation with other agencies," the State Library Director will "adopt rules as provided by statute." A.R.S. § 41-151.05(A)(7). Whether this consultation requirement applies to State agencies, local agencies, or both depends on the context that Section 41-151.05's subsections provide. On the one hand, the Director must adopt rules as provided by Section 11-910, which concerns supervision of county free libraries, and Section 34-502, which charges the Director with adopting rules to enforce the technology protection measures for public access computers in all public, that is, not exclusively State, libraries. A.R.S. § 41-151.05(A)(7)(b), (d); see also A.R.S. § 35-502(B), (D). On the other hand, Section 41-151.05 also requires that the Director adopt rules "for the . . . [d]escription of state publications in all formats," which unlike the two subsections previously mentioned, would not require consultation with local agencies. A.R.S. § 41-151.05(A)(7)(a).

The second provision, Section 41-151.12, which concerns records management, charges the Director with "[o]btain[ing] such reports and documentation from agencies as are required for the administration of this program." A.R.S. § 41-151.12(A)(6). Subsequent provisions in this subsection make clear that the agencies participating in the Director's records management program include local as well as State agencies. See A.R.S. §§ 41-151.12(7) (applying to "agencies of the state or its political subdivisions"); 151.12(9) (applying to "state agencies, political subdivisions of the state and other governmental units of this state"); and 151.12(10) (also applying to "state agencies, political subdivisions of the state and other governmental units of this state").

The third provision, Section 41-151.21 applies to "[a]n agency" that has or acquires furniture, equipment or other personal property that is over 50 years old or of known historical interest. A.R.S. § 41-151.21(A). However, this section subsequently defines "agency" as "any branch, department, commission, board or other unit of the state organization that receives, disburses or extends state monies or incurs obligations against this state." A.R.S. § 41-151.21(F). By providing this definition, the Legislature intended Section 41-151.21 to apply to State agencies only.

In conclusion, the plain terms of the State Library Statute show which of its provisions the Legislature intended to apply to State agencies, local agencies, or both.

2. Section 41-151.15's Application to Unincorporated Communities and Title 48 Special Taxing Districts.

a. The Records of Unincorporated Communities and Title 48 Special Taxing Districts Are Not Property of the State Under Section 41-151.15.

Section 41-151.15 of the State Library Statute provides that "[a]ll records made or received by public officials or employees of this state or the counties and incorporated cities and towns of this state in the course of their public duties are the property of this state." A.R.S. § 41-151.15(A). Neither unincorporated communities nor Title 48 special taxation districts are listed among the public entities whose records are State property under Section 151.15(A). The Legislature's omission of unincorporated communities and Title 48 special taxation districts suggests the intent to exclude them. See Stein v. Sonus USA, Inc., 214 Ariz. 200, 202, ¶ 7, 150 P.3d 773, 775 (App. 2007) (citing Estate of Hernandez v. Ariz. Bd. of Regents, 177 Ariz. 244, 249, 866 P.2d 1330, 1335 (1994)); see also State v. Ault, 157 Ariz. 516, 519, 759 P.2d 1320, 1323 (2008) ("Generally, when the legislature expresses a list, we assume the exclusion of items not listed."). Therefore, the records of unincorporated communities and Title 48 special taxing districts are not property of the State under Section 41-151.15.

b. Title 48 Special Taxing Districts Are Public Bodies That Must Comply with Section 41-151.15 While Unincorporated Communities Are Not.

Although their records are not property of the State, unincorporated communities and Title 48 special taxing districts may nevertheless be subject to Section 41-151.15's record preservation requirements if they are "custodian[s] of public records." A.R.S. 41-151.15(A). ("[T]he director and every other custodian of public records shall carefully protect and preserve the records.") Whether an entity is a custodian of public records turns on whether it is a "public body" under Arizona public records law. See A.R.S. § 39-121.01(C) ("Each public body shall be responsible for the preservation, maintenance and care of that body's public records.") Unincorporated communities do not come within the statutory definition of "public body." However, as both "political subdivision[s]" and "tax-supported district[s] in the state," Title 48 taxing districts are public bodies subject to Arizona public records law and Section 41-151.15 record preservation requirements. A.R.S. § 39-121.01(A)(2).

i. Unincorporated communities are not public bodies.

Under Section 39-121.01(A)(2), any city or town is a "public body." But in Arizona, a community must be incorporated to become a city or town. See A.R.S. § 9-101. An unincorporated community is "a locality in which a body of people resides in more or less proximity having common interests in such services as public health, public protection, fire protection and water which bind together the people of the area, and where people are acquainted and mingle in business, social, educational, and recreational activities." A.R.S. § 9-101(A). Neither communities nor localities are listed among the entities that Section 39-121.01(A)(2) includes in the definition of "public body." We therefore assume the Legislature intended to exclude unincorporated communities from the reach of public records law and Section 41-151.15. Accord Ault, 157 Ariz. at 519, 759 P.2d at 1323.

ii. Title 48 special taxing districts are public bodies.

Under Section 39-121.01(A)(2), any political subdivision or tax-supported district in the State is a "public body." Title 48 special taxing districts are public bodies by either classification. The Arizona Constitution states that "[i]rrigation, power, electrical, agricultural improvement, drainage, and flood control districts, and tax levying public improvement districts . . . shall be political subdivisions of the state." Ariz. Const. art. XIII, §7. The Legislature has established Title 48 special taxing districts as tax-supported districts. See A.R.S. § 48-101, et seq. Accordingly, this Office has reasoned that as an agricultural improvement and power district established as a special taxing district under Title 48, SRP is both a political subdivision and a tax-supported district and, therefore, a public body under Section 39-121.01(A)(2). See Ariz. Att'y Gen. Op. I90-0444 at 2 (1990). Consequently, this Office concluded that SRP was subject to Section 41-151.15's predecessor statute, among other statutes governing the preservation and public access to public records. Id. The same reasoning applies to all special taxing districts: as public bodies, Section 41-151.15's public records preservation requirements apply to them.

3. Section 41-151.19 Applies to All "Public Bodies" as Defined by Section 39-121.01(A)(1).

Section 41-151.19 provides as follows:

Every public officer who has public records in the public officer's custody shall consult periodically with the state library and the state library shall determine whether the records in question are of legal, administrative, historical or other value. . . . Those records determined to be of no legal, administrative, historical or other value shall be disposed of by such method as the state library may specify.

A "public officer" obligated to adhere to these requirements is "any person elected or appointed to hold any elective or appointive office of any public body and any chief administrative officer, head, director, superintendent or chairman of any public body." A.R.S. § 39-121.01(A)(1). As previously discussed, "public bodies" include "this state, any county, city, town, school district, political subdivision or tax-supported district in this state, any branch, department, board, bureau, commission, council or committee of the foregoing, and any public organization or agency, supported in whole or in part by monies from this state or any political subdivision of this state, or expending monies provided by this state or any political subdivision of this state." A.R.S. § 39-121.01(A)(2). Thus, public officers of any of these listed public entities are obligated to consult with the State Library for determinations of records value and disposition as set forth in Section 41-151.19.

Conclusion

The plain language of the State Library Statute shows which of its provisions the Legislature intended to apply to State agencies, local agencies, or both.

The records of unincorporated communities and Title 48 special taxing districts are not State property under Section 41-151.15. However, Title 48 special taxing districts are public bodies subject to Arizona public records law and Section 41-151.15's record preservation requirements.

All public bodies as defined by Section 39-121.01(A)(1) are subject to Section 41-151.19's consultation and record disposition requirements.

Mark Brnovich

Attorney General

Section 41-1347 was the predecessor of Section 41-151.15. 1976 Ariz. Sess. Law 335-37.