Assigned to WAG                                                                                                              AS PASSED BY COW

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1083

agriculture department; livestock loss board

Purpose

            Authorizes the Livestock Loss Board to compensate livestock owners for implementing avoidance measures to prevent wolf depredation on livestock.

Background

            The Livestock Loss Board is charged with addressing the deprivation of wolves on livestock operations and consists of: 1) the Director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture or the director's designee; 2) the Director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department or the director's designee; 3) three members appointed by the Governor who represent the livestock industry; 4) two members appointed by the Governor who represent wildlife conservation or wildlife management; 5) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives who is a livestock auction market owner; and 6) one member appointed by the President of the Senate who is a faculty member at a state university (A.R.S. §§ 17-491 & 17-492).

            Title 17 of the Arizona Revised Statutes contains statute relating to Game and Fish. Title 3 of the Arizona Revised Statutes contains statute relating to Agriculture.

            There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Grants the Livestock Loss Board permissive authority to compensate landowners, lessees or livestock operators for implementing avoidance measures to prevent wolf depredation on livestock and specifies that Livestock Compensation Fund monies may be used for these purposes.

2. Defines avoidance measures as non-lethal actions taken or education provided by livestock owners to reduce the likelihood of livestock depredation.

3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Amendments Adopted by Committee

1. Removes the transfer of Livestock Loss Board statutes from Title 17 to Title 3 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.

2. Redefines avoidance measures to remove specifically prescribed avoidance measure tactics and specifies that avoidance measures are non-lethal.

3. Makes conforming changes.

Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole

1. Clarifies that, for purposes of the definition of avoidance measures, education means education that is provided by the livestock owner.

2. Makes technical changes.

Senate Action

WAG              2/6/20       DPA     7-0-0

Prepared by Senate Research

February 12, 2020

KN/gs