ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

Senate: NREW DP 9-0-0-0 | 3rd Read: 30-0-0-0

SCR1046: Arizona's outdoors; recreation; supporting

Sponsor: Senator Engel, LD 10

Committee on Education

Overview

Declares that the Legislature recognizes that it is critical for the State to promote healthy, active lifestyles filled with outdoor experiences of all types for Arizona residents.

History

According to the Arizona Department of Tourism (AOT), Arizona is home to 22 national parks and monuments, 35 state parks and natural areas and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World (the Grand Canyon) (AOT).

The Arizona State Parks Board is responsible for selecting, acquiring, preserving, establishing and maintaining areas of natural features, scenic beauty, historical and scientific interest and zoos and botanical gardens for the education, pleasure, recreation and health of the people (A.R.S. § 41-511.03).

The Arizona Department of Game and Fish is responsible for establishing policies and programs for the management, preservation, and harvest of wildlife, as well as the enforcement of laws for the protection of wildlife (A.R.S. § 17-231).

Provisions

1. States that the Legislature recognizes that it is critical for the physical, mental and social well-being of Arizona's residents that the State promote healthy, active lifestyles filled with outdoor experiences of all types for residents, while respecting private property rights. (Sec. 1)

2. Declares that the Legislature recognizes that every Arizona resident should have the opportunity to:

a) Enjoy nature and wildlife in Arizona through hunting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, trail running, trail riding, mountain biking, four-wheeling, rock climbing, stargazing, wildlife watching or just wandering in the outdoors;

b) Learn about and respect indigenous cultural resources, petroglyphs, pictographs, ancient habitation sites and sacred landscapes at places best left undisturbed;

c) Explore Arizona's parks, forests, public lands and wild places;

d) Experience Arizona's mountains, deserts, grasslands and canyons;

e) Gaze at a starry sky or sleep outdoors in a tent;

f) Bring along a friend to discover nature right outside one's own backyard and beyond;

g) Splash or refresh in Arizona's rivers, lakes, streams and hot springs;

h) Follow a trail;

i) Plant a seed, tend a garden or create a wildlife habitat garden; and

j) Be a steward and take care of Arizona's outdoor places and landscapes so future generations will also be able to enjoy these precious assets. (Sec. 1)

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n) SCR 1046

o) Initials CH Page 0 Education

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