ARIZONA STATE SENATE
RESEARCH STAFF
TO: MEMBERS OF THE SENATE
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
DATE: February 20, 2025
SUBJECT: Strike everything amendment to S.B. 1261, relating to department of Agriculture;
appropriations
Purpose
Appropriates $957,180 and 5 FTEs from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2026 to
the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) for outlined positions.
Background
The AZDA consists of the animal services division, plant services division, environmental
services division, weights and measures services division, pest management division and citrus,
fruit and vegetable division (A.R.S. § 3-102).
Livestock officers and inspectors inspect livestock health, marks and brands at loading
stations, at places of exit from Arizona and 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, brands and marks. Livestock officers 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).
The strike-everything amendment to S.B. 1261 appropriates $957,180 and 5 FTEs from
the state GF in FY 2026 to AZDA.
Provisions
1. Appropriates $957,180 and 5 FTEs from the state GF in FY 2026 to AZDA for:
a) three livestock inspectors;
b) one veterinary assistant; and
c) one veterinary technician.
2. Declares the Legislature's intent that $532,725 of the appropriated monies and the 5 FTEs be
considered ongoing.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
LIAM MAHER
LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH ANALYST
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
Telephone: (602) 926-3171