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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
G&F; tags; permits; transfers; refunds
Purpose
Allows a qualified organization to transfer a big game tag or permit to a minor whose parent was killed under specified circumstances. Allows the Arizona Game and Fish Commission (Commission) to refund a license or permit purchase for a U.S. Armed Forces member or first responder under specified circumstances. Prescribes requirements for the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) to assist license applicants with voter registration.
Background
Statute allows a person to transfer a big game permit or tag to a qualified organization for use by: 1) a minor child who has a life-threatening medical condition or a permanent physical disability; or 2) a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces who has a service-connected disability. A parent, grandparent or legal guardian with a big game permit or tag may allow the parent’s, grandparent’s or guardian’s minor child or minor grandchild to use the permit or tag to take big game if the minor child possesses a valid hunting license. A minor child under 14 years old who uses a transferred big game permit or tag must satisfactorily complete the Arizona Hunter Education Course or another comparable course approved by the AZGFD Director. The Commission may not prescribe refunds for the purchase of a license or permit (A.R.S. § 17-332).
A qualified organization is a nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code that affords opportunities and experiences to: 1) children with life-threatening medical conditions or physical disabilities; or 2) to veterans with service-connected disabilities (A.R.S. § 17-332).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
Permit Transfer
1. Allows a qualified organization to transfer a big game tag or permit to a minor whose parent was killed:
a) in action while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces;
b) in the course and scope of employment as a peace officer; or
c) in the course and scope of employment as a professional firefighter who is a member of a state, federal, tribal, city, town, county, district or private fire department.
2. Allows the Commission to prescribe a manner of refunding the cost of a big game permit or tag, if, during the time period in which the permit or license is valid, the permit or license-holder is:
a) ordered to leave Arizona as an active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces;
b) assigned to special duty as a peace officer; or
c) assigned to special duty as a professional firefighter who is a member of a state, federal, tribal, city, town, county, district or private fire department.
3. Expands the definition of qualified organization to include a nonprofit organization that affords opportunities and experiences to minor children whose parents were killed in action while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or in the course and scope of employment as peace officers or professional firefighters.
5. Exempts, from the Administrative Procedures Act, Commission rules or orders that limit the number or use of licenses or permits issued to nonresidents.
Voter Registration
6. Requires AZGFD to provide:
a) assistance with voter registration when accepting applications for a hunting, fishing or trapping license (license); and
b) an applicant with an online license application with a link to the Arizona Department of Transportation's voter registration page.
7. Requires each AZGFD office that accepts applications for a license in person to provide a voter registration form to an applicant.
8. Requires the Secretary of State (SOS) to provide AZGFD with voter registration forms and instructions to applicants to mail completed voter registration forms to the SOS.
9. Requires the SOS to forward completed registration forms to the appropriate county recorder to determine eligibility of an applicant and add the names of eligible applicants to the voter registration rolls.
10. Prohibits voter registration information that is public information and generated from applicants for a license from providing any public indication of the source of the registrations.
11. Specifies that persons who act to register applicants for a license to vote are not deputy registrars.
12. Defines department and license.
Miscellaneous
13. Makes technical and conforming changes.
14. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
1. Expands the definition of qualified organization to include a nonprofit organization that affords opportunities and experiences to minor children whose parents were killed in action while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or in the course and scope of employment as peace officers or professional firefighters.
2. Makes technical changes.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. Prescribes requirements for AZGFD and the SOS to assist license applicants with voter registration.
2. Makes technical changes.
Amendments Adopted by the House of Representatives
1. Allows the Commission to limit the number or use of licenses or permits issued to nonresidents, excluding permits issued in a random drawing.
2. Exempts, from the Administrative Procedures Act, Commission rules or orders that limit the number or use of licenses or permits issued to nonresidents.
Senate Action House Action
NREW 1/26/22 DPA 9-0-0 LARA 3/14/22 DPA 11-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/24/22 21-7-2 3rd Read 5/17/22 42-9-9
Prepared by Senate Research
February 22, 2022
RC/MAH/slp