SB 1261
Initials BSR Page 1 Appropriations
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
Senate: FIN W/D | APPROP DPA/SE 10 -0-0-0 | 3rd Read 26-1-3-0
House: LARA DP 7-1-0-1
SB 1261: department of agriculture; appropriation
Sponsor: Senator Dunn, LD 25
Committee on Appropriations
Overview
Appropriates $957,180 and five full-time equivalent (FTE) positions from the state General
Fund (GF) in FY 2026 to the Arizona Department of Agriculture (Department) for specified
FTE positions.
History
Livestock officers are peace officers, certified by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and
Training Board, who have the authority to pursue and arrest any person who violates state
law relating to livestock. The Department employs livestock officers and inspectors to ensure
compliance with various requirements related to managing livestock. These staff must
inspect livestock, except equine, for health, marks and brands before the livestock are
slaughtered, sold, purchased, driven, transported, shipped or conveyed (A.R.S. §§ 3-1208 and
3-1331).
Livestock officers and inspectors also 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. 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).
Livestock means cattle, equine, sheep, goats and swine, except feral pigs (A.R.S. § 3-1201).
Livestock officer means an animal health and welfare officer, animal health and welfare
inspector or investigator employed by the Department (A.R.S. § 3-1201).
Provisions
1. Appropriates five FTE positions and $957,180 from the state GF in FY 2026 to the
Department for:
a) three livestock inspectors;
b) one veterinary assistant; and
c) one veterinary technician. (Sec. 1)
2. States that the Legislature intends that the five FTEs and $532,725 are ongoing funding
in future years. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note