Assigned to NREW & APPROP FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to NREW & APPROP FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
appropriation;
noncertified livestock inspectors
(NOW: livestock inspectors; appropriation)
Purpose
Appropriates monies annually for salaries for livestock officers and inspectors.
Background
The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) consists of several divisions, including the Animal Services Division which is responsible for: 1) milk, dairy, livestock and aquaculture regulation; 2) the state veterinarian; and 3) inspection of meat, poultry and eggs (A.R.S. § 3-102).
Current law outlines responsibilities of livestock officers and inspectors. Livestock officers are peace officers, certified by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, who have authority to pursue and arrest anyone who violates state law relating to livestock. Livestock services field staff inspect livestock for health and brands prior to slaughter, sale or shipping. Livestock officers and inspectors also respond to calls relating to stray animals, ownership disputes, theft, welfare and neglect cases (A.R.S. §§ 3-1201 & 3-1331).
Livestock is defined as cattle, horses, sheep, goats and swine (A.R.S. § 3-1201).
The Livestock Custody Trust Fund consists of fines and proceeds from the sale of mistreated or stray livestock. It is a non-appropriated fund (A.R.S. § 3-1377).
The bill has an annually recurring fiscal impact to the state General Fund of $100,000.
Provisions
1. Appropriates the following monies to AZDA annually:
a) $100,000 from the state General Fund;
b) $20,000 from the Livestock Custody Trust Fund; and
c) $80,000 from the Agriculture Designated/Donations Fund.
2. Directs the AZDA use the funds for personal services and employee-related expenditures, including salary increases and retention bonuses.
3. Specifies the appropriated monies are in addition to existing appropriations.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
LARA 02/01/18 DP 7-0-0-1
3rd Read 02/20/18 53-6-1-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 1, 2018
KK/IC/lat