HB 2641
Initials PAB Page 1 Appropriations
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
First Regular Session
House: LARA DPA 9-0-0-0
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:
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note HB 2641
Initials PAB Page 2 Appropriations
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.