Important Dates

o    2/3: Last day to introduce Senate bills

o    2/10: Last day to introduce House bills

o    2/21: Last day to hear bills in 1st chamber committees

o    3/28: Last day to hear bills in 2nd chamber committees

o    4/22: 100th day of session

 

Support:

HRC2011 Arizona state parks heritage fund

Sponsor: Rep Travers: Sen Shope

This proposes an annual allocation of $10 million from the state lottery fund to the Heritage Fund, contingent on voter approval. The Heritage Fund provides grant opportunities for trail projects, outdoor environmental education programs, local, regional, and state parks, as well as historic preservation projects through legislatively appropriated funds.

SB1211 – G&F; publications revolving fund

Sponsor: Rep Tim Dunn (R-25)

Increases the total amount of money that can be held within the Game

& Fish Revolving Fund, a fund authorized solely for the production and

distribution of Department publications and information from $80,000 to

$250,000.

HB2603 hunting; fishing; license; deferred prosecution

Sponsor: Rep Nguyen

Put simply, this bill would allow the AZGFD Commission more latitude needed to prosecute wildlife offenders appropriately.

HB2135 – unlawful camping; stock; wildlife; access

Sponsor: Rep Selina Bliss (R-1)

Under current statute, it is unlawful for a person to camp within 1/4 mile

of a natural water hole or man-made watering facility containing water in such

a place that wildlife or domestic stock will be denied access. Legislation

removes the stipulation that a specific water be the only reasonably available

source of water for wildlife or livestock.

This bill simply closes a loophole that makes camping near a water source illegal regardless of other waters nearby.

SB1004 – unlawful release of balloons

Sponsor: Sen Kavanagh

I believe that we’d be hard pressed to find anyone who spends time in the backcountry who wouldn’t support a law making it illegal for anyone over eighteen years of age to release mylar balloons.

Oppose:

SB1068 federal government; land acquisition; consent

Sponsor: Sen Finchem: Angius

Seeks to require state government approval before the federal government can acquire land within the state’s boundaries. While proponents argue the bill aims to assert state sovereignty and protect local interests, critics raise substantial concerns about its potential economic, environmental, and legal impacts.

This is the same bill that would prevent a private property owner to sell his or her property to the federal government that we see every year. From private property rights to hindering important conservation projects and access, this bill is no good. Please see our Action Alert and send a note to your representative.

HB2059 natural resources; federal law; requirements

Sponsor: Rep Fink: Keshel, Powell

State and local government employees are prohibited from knowingly participating in the enforcement of federal acts, laws, orders, rules, or regulations related to natural resources if such regulations do not exist under state law. The bill also prevents the use of state or local funds to assist federal agencies in enforcing such regulations. Employees who violate these provisions can face civil penalties of up to $3,000 for a first offense and potentially 60 days in jail.

This bill would prevent biologists, agency professionals, and other experts from weighting in and influencing important decisions relating to our natural resources.

HB2083 – game and fish commission; membership

Sponsor: Rep Gail Griffin (R-19)

Requires at least one member of the Game and Fish Commission to be

a cattleman or rancher.

While the ranching community is a vital voice in the conservation of our lands and wildlife and is deserving of a place on our commission, reserving a dedication position for someone from the ranching community opens up an avenue for other special interest groups to demand the same.

Tracking:

 

HB2588 – wildlife; taking; landowner permits; rules

Sponsor Rep. Gail Griffin (R-19)

Requires the Arizona Game and Fish Department to issue landowner

permits for the taking of elk, antelope, oryx, and deer on private lands and

authorizes the adoption of rules to expand landowner permits to other species

of wildlife. The Department is required to issue landowner permits to private

landowners upon determination of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission

that a permit is required to reduce human wildlife conflicts, and provide sport

hunting opportunities.

 

No question, this bill would be disastrous for Arizona sportsmen and women and our North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Therefore, you might be asking yourself why it is not under the opposition tab. The answer is that there is sufficient evidence that there is not a serious push behind this bill and it will likely be killed behind closed doors. With that, we will be tracking closely and will adjust our tactics aggressively if it gains momentum.

 

SB1053 wildlife; firearms discharge; structures; distance

Sponsor Sen. Wendy Rogers (R-7)

Modifies the circumstances where it is unlawful to discharge a firearm

to allow the discharge of a shotgun loaded with bird or game shot or a device

that fires an arrow while taking small game wildlife within 1/4 mile to 1/8 mile

of an occupied farmhouse or other residence without permission of the owner

or resident.

This bill would cut the legal distance a firearm could be discharged from a residence in half while using a shotgun loaded with birdshot. While those familiar with shotguns are aware that this 1/8 of a mile is a safe distance, there are obvious concerns with public perceptions and the potential to create issues between the sporting/firearm community with the general public.

HB2224 – unlawful wildlife feeding; enforcement; penalty

Sponsor: Rep Matt Gress (R-4)

Removes county population limitation of less than 280,000 persons for

existing statute regarding unlawful feeding of wildlife, and applies the

prohibition statewide. Expands the application of unlawful feeding of wildlife

to include intentionally or knowingly creating a wildlife habitat without legal

authority. Imposes a mandatory fine of $1,000 for offenses committed within a

city or town with a population exceeding 100,000 persons.

This bill would have the potential to make illegal the creation of wildlife habitat on private property.  It doesn’t take much imagination to see the issues here: flower gardens, water gardens, heck, any gardens. This bill is likely a constituent issue that we hope will be resolved and this bill will disappear.

HB2552 – dogs; hunting; rules; prohibition

Sponsor Rep. Lupe Diaz (R-19)

Prohibits the Arizona Game and Fish Commission from adopting rules

that ban the use of dogs for taking wildlife.

This bill, as it’s currently written, could create potential issues for our commission in the form of opening up the hunting of all wildlife with dogs, e.g., elk and deer. We are watching for amendments to this bill that would allow us to support it.