ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

House: LARA DPA 7-2-0-0

HB 2544: appropriation; agriculture; brand inspectors

Sponsor: Representative Diaz, LD 19

House Engrossed

Overview

Appropriates $957,175 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. Amends the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act by increasing the number of FTE positions for the Department from 209.4 to 214.4. (Sec. 1)

2. Appropriates five FTE positions and $957,175 from the state GF in FY 2026 to the Department for:

a) three livestock inspectors;

b) one veterinary assistant; and

c) one veterinary technicians (Sec. 2)

3. States that the Legislature intends that the five FTEs and $532,725 are ongoing funding in future years. (Sec. 2)

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7. HB 2544

8. Initials BSR Page 0 House Engrossed

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