ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

House: NREW DP 10-0-0-0

HB 2038: salvage permit; big game animals

Sponsor:  Representative Griffin, LD 14

Caucus & COW

Overview

Requires someone to obtain a big game salvage permit (permit) to possess and transport the carcass of a big game animal and specifies the conditions under which the Arizona Game and Fish Department (Department) will issue this permit.

History

Big game animals are wild turkey, deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, bison, peccary, bear and mountain lion (A.R.S. § 17-101(B)(1)).

When a big game animal has been killed due to a car accident, the driver can possess and transport its carcass if they have a permit issued by a peace officer. The permit is issued only in the name of the driver and is not transferable. A peace officer can inspect the carcass and car before issuing the permit. Additionally, both the carcass and car can be inspected by a game ranger within 20 days of issuing the permit. Someone who possesses a big game animal carcass can place some or all of it in storage at a commercial food establishment that handles wildlife. However, the permit does not imply that the big game animal carcass is edible and neither the peace officer who issued the permit, the agency employing the peace officer or the Department are liable for any use of the big game animal carcass (A.R.S. § 17-319).

Someone who fraudulently obtains a permit for a big game animal carcass is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to six months imprisonment and a fine of up to $2,500 (A.R.S. §§ 13-707(A)(1), 13-802(A), and 17-319).

Provisions

1.    Requires someone to have a permit issued by a peace officer or a Department employee in order to possess and transport the carcass of a big game animal. (Sec. 1)

2.    Stipulates that this permit is not transferrable. (Sec. 1)

3.    Specifies that a permit will only be issued if the big game animal:

a)    Was killed or euthanized as a result of injuries from a car accident, to the driver or someone who wishes to possess it;

b)    Died from natural causes, to the person who reported the carcass; and

c)    Subsequently dies or was euthanized as a result of injuries from natural causes, to the person who reported the injured animal. (Sec. 1)

4.    Modifies the information required on the permit to include the date the permit was issued, the big game animal's location and the person wishing to possess the carcass. (Sec. 1)

5.    Limits the peace officer to inspecting the carcass, and not the motor vehicle, before issuing the permit. (Sec. 1)

6.    Removes the carcass and motor vehicle from being subject to inspection by a game ranger within 20 days of issuing the permit. (Sec. 1)

7.    Prohibits someone who possesses a big game carcass from placing all or part of it in storage at a commercial food establishment that handles wildlife. (Sec. 1)

8.    Forbids issuing a permit for a big game animal that may be diseased or spoiled. (Sec. 1)

9.    Makes technical changes.☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note (Sec. 1)

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13.                    HB 2038

14.  Initials PAB           Page 0 Caucus & COW

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