Assigned to NREW & APPROP FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2641
appropriations; department of agriculture; staffing
Purpose
Appropriates $1,270,814.32 and 6.5 full-time equivalent positions (FTEs) from the state
General Fund (state GF) in FY 2024 to the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) for the
outlined purposes.
Background
The AZDA may: 1) adopt rules regarding the importation of animals into Arizona;
2) establish a mandatory self-inspection program for moving livestock from one location to
another; 3) establish a central investigation group to investigate reports of crimes and violations of
law and AZDA rules related to livestock; and 4) employ livestock officers and inspectors to inspect
livestock, other than livestock subject to authorized self-inspection. The AZDA must provide
livestock inspections at border inspection stations or at AZDA offices (A.R.S. §§ 3-1203; 3-1208;
and 3-1332).
Livestock officers and inspectors inspect livestock: 1) health; 2) marks and brands at
loading stations; 3) at places of exit from Arizona; and 4) at places where livestock are gathered
to be sold, slaughtered, transported, conveyed, shipped or driven from their range. Livestock
officers and inspectors may also authenticate bills of sale and brands and marks. A livestock officer
must seize livestock wherever found whenever the livestock officer questions the livestock's
ownership under the circumstances outlined in statute. Livestock officers, but not livestock
inspectors, are peace officers certified by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board
and must pursue and arrest any person on probable cause of a violation of law relating to livestock
(A.R.S. §§ 3-1331 and 3-1332).
Livestock is cattle, equine, sheep, goats and swine, except feral pigs. Equine is horses,
mules, burros and asses (A.R.S. § 3-1201).
H.B. 2641 appropriates $1,270,814.32 and 6.5 FTEs from the state GF in FY 2024 to the
AZDA.
Provisions
1. Appropriates the following sums of monies and FTEs from the state GF in FY 2024 to the
AZDA:
a) $193,787.94 and 1 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) $348,842 and 2 FTEs for one animal inspector at the Douglas Port of Entry and one animal
health inspector at the Nogales Port of Entry; FACT SHEET
H.B. 2641
Page 2
c) $326,231.44 and 1.5 FTEs for certified peace officers to investigate livestock neglect and
cruelty and criminal matters involving livestock and to complete livestock inspection for
health and ownership for investigations and inspections located in northern Cochise, Gila,
Graham and Greenlee counties;
d) $193,787.94 and 1 FTE for a certified peace officer to ensure compliance with the
self-inspection program for hauling cattle and ownership transfers; and
e) $208,165 and 1 FTE for an animal health regional supervisor.
2. States that the Legislature intends that the appropriations to AZDA be considered ongoing
funding in future years.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
LARA 2/13/23 DPA 9-0-0-0
3
rd
Read 3/9/23 54-3-3
Prepared by Senate Research
March 21, 2023
RA/FB/slp