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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
driving; animals on lap; prohibition
Purpose
Prohibits a person from operating a vehicle with an animal on the person's lap and prescribes civil penalties for violations.
Background
A person commits
cruelty to animals if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly:
1) subjects any animal under the person's custody or control to cruel neglect
or abandonment;
2) inflicts unnecessary physical injury to any animal; 3) subjects any animal
to cruel mistreatment; 4) kills any animal under the custody or control of
another person without either legal privilege or consent of the owner; or 5)
leaves an animal unattended and confined in a motor vehicle and physical injury
to or death of the animal is likely to result. A peace officer or animal
control enforcement agent or deputy may use reasonable force to open a vehicle
to rescue an animal if the animal is left in the vehicle. A person who commits cruelty
to animals is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor, class 6 felony or class 5
felony depending on the severity of the act (A.R.S.
ยง 3-2910).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits a person from operating a vehicle while an animal is on the person's lap.
2. Subjects, beginning January 1, 2026, a person who violates the prohibition to a civil penalty of:
a) at least $75 but not more than $149 for a first violation; or
b) at least $150 but not more than $250 for a second or subsequent violation.
3. Preempts a state department or agency from considering a violation of the prohibition for the purpose of determining whether a person's driver license should be suspended or revoked.
4. Excludes, from the preemption, commercial driver licenses subject to mandatory disqualification.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 17, 2025
KJA/AG/ci