SB 1223 Passes Arizona Senate Appropriations Committee, with Amendment

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission’s legislation, Senate Bill 1223, to allow the commission to set future license structure and fees (including all licenses types, permits, tags, stamps and watercraft registrations) directly through a streamlined, customer-focused rulemaking process, was passed unanimously by the Arizona Senate’s Appropriations Committee on Feb. 19, with the addition of an amendment sponsored by Sen. Don Shooter.

The amendment adds an expiration date of July 1, 2019, to 17-333(A) on Page 11, line 17. The amended text (in blue) reads:

THROUGH JULY 1, 2019, THE COMMISSION SHALL PRESCRIBE BY RULE LICENSE CLASSIFICATIONS THAT ARE VALID FOR THE TAKING OR HANDLING OF WILDLIFE, FEES FOR LICENSES, PERMITS, TAGS AND STAMPS AND APPLICATION FEES.

This is an added “check and balance” on the commission’s authority under the new bill. The commission would need to seek reauthorization, through the Legislature, to extend this authority after that date. The commission will be briefed on the amendment at a public telephonic meeting tomorrow, Feb. 21 (see agenda), and may vote to take a formal position or provide the department with direction. 

SB 1223 previously was unanimously passed by the Arizona Senate’s Natural Resources and Rural Affairs Committee on Feb. 6.

Arizona Game and Fish Department

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is a state agency of Arizona, headquartered in Phoenix. The agency is tasked with conserving, enhancing, and restoring Arizona's diverse wildlife resources and habitats through aggressive protection and management programs. It also provides wildlife resources and safe watercraft and off-highway vehicle recreation for the enjoyment of, appreciation by, and use by present and future generations.