ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session
	House: LARA DPA 9-0-0-0

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HB 2641: appropriations; department of agriculture; staffing

Sponsor: Representative Cook, LD 7

Committee on Appropriations

Overview

Appropriates unspecified amounts of monies from the state General Fund (GF) to the Arizona Department of Agriculture in FY 2024 for certified peace officers to investigate and inspect livestock in certain parts of Arizona and for animal inspectors at the Douglas and Nogales ports of entry.

History

The Arizona Department of Agriculture employs livestock inspectors and officers to ensure compliance with various requirements related to managing livestock (A.R.S. § 3-1208). ("Livestock" includes cattle, equine (horses, mules, burros, asses), sheep, goats and swine but does not include feral pigs (A.R.S. § 3-1201)). These staff must inspect livestock (except equine) for health, marks and brands before the livestock are slaughtered, sold, purchased, driven, transported, shipped or conveyed. Additionally, they help facilitate a self-inspection program that allows branded range cattle, unbranded dairy and feedlot cattle, sheep, goats and swine to move to auction, inspected slaughterhouse, feedlot, arena and pasture-to-pasture within a ranch using a self-inspection certificate.  Finally, livestock inspectors and officers also respond to stray and ownership dispute calls and investigate theft, welfare and neglect cases (A.R.S. §§ 3-1203 and 3-1332 through 3-1337).

Provisions

1. Appropriates unspecified amounts of monies from the state General Fund to the Arizona Department of Agriculture in FY 2024 for the following positions:

a) 1.0 FTE for a certified peace officer located in eastern Maricopa and Pinal Counties to investigate livestock neglect and cruelty and criminal matters involving livestock and to complete livestock inspections for health and ownership;

b) 2.0 FTE for animal health inspectors at the Douglas and Nogales ports of entry;

c) 1.5 FTE for certified peace officers to investigate livestock neglect and cruelty and criminal matters involving livestock and to complete livestock inspections for health and ownership for investigations and inspections located in northern Cochise, Gila, Graham and Greenlee Counties; and

d) 1.0 FTE to a certified peace officer to ensure compliance with the self-inspection program for hauling cattle and ownership transfers. (Sec. 1)

2. States that the Legislature intends that these appropriations be considered ongoing funding in future years. (Sec. 1)

Amendments

Committee on Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

1. Specifies the amounts of appropriated monies for the following positions:

a) $132,448 for 1.0 FTE for a certified peace officer located in eastern Maricopa and Pinal Counties to investigate livestock neglect and cruelty and criminal matters involving livestock and to complete livestock inspections for health and ownership;

b) $257,452 for 2.0 FTE for animal health inspectors at the Douglas and Nogales ports of entry;

c) $198,672 for 1.5 FTE for certified peace officers to investigate livestock neglect and cruelty and criminal matters involving livestock and to complete livestock inspections for health and ownership for investigations and inspections located in northern Cochise, Gila, Graham and Greenlee Counties; and

d) $132,448 for 1.0 FTE to a certified peace officer to ensure compliance with the self-inspection program for hauling cattle and ownership transfers.

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                        HB 2641

Initials PAB     Page 0 Appropriations

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