ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

House: LARA DP 9-0-0-0 | 3rd Read 45-15-0-0

Senate: NREW DP 7-0-0-0 | FIN DPA 6-1-0-0 | 3rd Read 25-5-0-0

Final Pass: 41-17-2-0

HB2145: dude ranches; historical markers

Sponsor: Representative Dunn, LD 25

Transmitted to the Governor

Overview

Modifies the statutory requirements relating to the property tax valuation of guest ranches. Requires the Arizona Historical Society to issue historical markers for a dude ranch that is designated for inclusion on the Arizona Dude Ranch Heritage Trail Program.

History

Arizona State Parks Board

The Arizona State Parks Board selects, acquires, preserves, establishes and maintains areas of natural features, scenic beauty, historical and scientific interest and zoos and botanical gardens for public education and recreation (A.R.S. § 41-511.03). The Governor appoints the State Historic Preservation Officer to the board to administer the state historic preservation program and help maintain historical places in Arizona (A.R.S. §§ 41-511.02 and 41-511.04).

Arizona Historical Society

The Arizona Historical Society maintains books, maps, papers, materials, narratives of historical events, data, historical and scientific reports and facilities to investigate historical, scientific, social, educational and literary subjects related to the history of Arizona and the west (A.R.S. § 41-823). The Permanent Arizona Historical Society Revolving Fund consists of monies received by the society from operating gift shops, book shops, food service facilities as well as admissions to the society's facilities. Monies are used for enhancing the society's programs and operating or improving its facilities (A.R.S. § 41-826).

Arizona Dude Ranch Historical Trail Program

The Arizona Dude Ranch Historical Trail Program was established in 2022 to serve as a guide to working dude ranches in Arizona (Laws 2022, Chapter 203). The Arizona State Parks Board, which operates this program, will designate a dude ranch for inclusion if it:

1)   Has been in business for at least 25 years;

2)   Comprises at least 1,000 contiguous acres consisting of private or leased property adjacent to the ranch's headquarters or public land subject to a riding permit;

3)   Provides recreational activities including horseback riding, hiking, biking or a working cattle ranch experience;

4)   Has an organized and supervised horse program with at least as many horses on the property as guest accommodations;

5)   Uses at least one permanent structure with running water, sewage disposal and a kitchen;

6)   Provides guests with three meals a day as part of the ranch's primary package; and

7)   Includes the title "ranch" or "rancho" in its name.

Dude ranch owners must apply to the ASPB to be designated for inclusion in the program. The Arizona State Parks Board and the largest dude ranch or guest ranch association in the state are jointly responsible for developing signage that ranches may use to identify and promote their designation. Applicants are responsible for the costs of designing and producing these plaques (A.R.S. § 41-867).

Provisions

1.   ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteAuthorizes Permanent Arizona Historical Society Revolving Fund monies to be used to issue historical markers for dude ranches included in the Arizona Dude Ranch Heritage Trail Program. (Sec. 1)

2.   Allows the Permanent Arizona Historical Society Revolving Fund to receive gifts, grants, donations and contributions. (Sec. 1)

3.   Specifies, for inclusion in the Arizona dude ranch heritage program, that the horse herd size requirement applies during the operating season in which guests are present. (Sec. 2, 6)

4.   Directs the Arizona Historical Society, in cooperation with the Arizona State Parks Board and the largest dude ranch or guest ranch association in the state, to issue historical markers within two years of when a dude ranch in the Arizona Dude Ranch Heritage Trail Program requests it. (Sec. 2)

5.   Specifies that Class 2 property includes real and personal property and improvements of a guest ranch that meet the definition of guest ranch and for which the owner has recorded a deed restriction with the county recorder, that is not included in Class 4 property and that are valued at full cash value. (Sec. 3)

6.   Classifies real and personal property and improvements of a guest ranch as Class 4 property if it is included in the Arizona Dude Ranch Heritage Trail Program, meets the definition of guest ranch that meet the definition of guest ranch and for which the owner has recorded a deed restriction with the county recorder, that is not included in Class 4 property and that are valued at full cash value. (Sec. 4)

7.   Specifies that a change in the property tax classification of a guest ranch is not a change in use, in and of itself, for purposes of determining limited cash value of the property. (Sec. 5)

8.   Makes technical changes and conforming changes. (Sec. 1)

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12.                    HB 2145

13.  Initials VP  Page 0 Transmitted

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