Arizona State Mine Inspector

State Mine Inspector of Arizona
Incumbent
Paul Marsh
since October 29, 2021
ResidencePhoenix, Arizona
Term lengthFour years, can serve four terms
DeputyTim Evans
WebsiteArizona State Mine Inspector

The Arizona State Mine Inspector is responsible for overseeing the safety and regulation of active and inactive mines in the state of Arizona in the United States. It is an independent, constitutionally-mandated office, elected to a four-year term. Arizona is the only state which fills this position through direct election.[1]

Arizona has 600 working mines and an estimated 120,000 abandoned mines.[2] Owing to a lack of funding, the department employed just two abandoned-mine supervisors as of 2019.[3]

Arizona House Representative Randall Friese introduced a bill in 2016 to change the position from elected to appointed. The bill failed to move out of committee.[4]

In 2007, former inspector Douglas K. Martin was convicted of a felony conflict of interest from the illegal use of state vehicles and theft.[5]

Former inspectors

  • G. H. Bolin, Democrat, 1912–1921
  • John F. White, Republican, 1921–1923
  • Tom C. Foster, Democrat, 1923–1945
  • Clifford J. Murdock, Democrat, 1945–1953
  • Edward Massey, Democrat, 1953–1959
  • R. V. Hersey, Democrat, 1959–1965
  • Verne C. McCutchan, Republican, 1965–1975
  • Bert C. Romero, Democrat, 1975–1976
  • Verne C. McCutchan, Republican, 1976–1978
  • James H. McCutchan, Republican, 1979–1990
  • Douglas K. Martin, Republican, 1991–2007
  • Joe Hart, Republican, 2007–2021
  • Paul Marsh, Republican, 2021–

References

  1. ^ "Arizona Mine Inspector's Office Tries To Climb Out Of Deep Financial Hole". KJZZ. October 4, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  2. ^ Ducote, Richard (August 18, 2006). "Race for state mine inspector open for first time in 18 years | Govt-and-politics". tucson.com. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  3. ^ "'We're all by ourselves': Arizona's two abandoned-mine inspectors face daunting task".
  4. ^ "Format Document". Azleg.gov. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  5. ^ "Former state mine inspector pleads guilty to felony charge - Tucson Citizen Morgue, Part 1 (2006-2009)". Tucsoncitizen.com. Associated Press. March 15, 2007. Retrieved October 25, 2019.