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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
agriculture department; livestock loss board
Purpose
Authorizes the Livestock Loss Board to compensate livestock owners for implementing avoidance measures to prevent wolf depredation on livestock. Transfers Livestock Loss Board statutes to the title governing agriculture.
Background
The Livestock Loss Board is charged with addressing the deprivation of wolves on livestock operations and consists of: 1) the Director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture or the director's designee; 2) the Director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department or the director's designee; 3) three members appointed by the Governor who represent the livestock industry; 4) two members appointed by the Governor who represent wildlife conservation or wildlife management; 5) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives who is a livestock auction market owner; and 6) one member appointed by the President of the Senate who is a faculty member at a state university (A.R.S. §§ 17-491 & 17-492).
Title 17 of the Arizona Revised Statutes contains statute relating to Game and Fish. Title 3 of the Arizona Revised Statutes contains statute relating to Agriculture.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Grants the Livestock Loss Board permissive authority to compensate landowners, lessees or livestock operators for implementing avoidance measures to prevent wolf depredation on livestock and specifies that Livestock Compensation Fund monies may be used for these purposes.
2. Defines avoidance measures as actions taken by livestock owners to reduce the likelihood of livestock depredation, and includes: a) using range riders, livestock guardian dogs, fladry, fox lights or cost-intensive management practices; and b) education.
3. Transfers, from Title 17 to Title 3 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, enabling statutes for the Livestock Loss Board.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 28, 2020
KN/gs