The Arizona Wildlife Federation was born over 100 years ago out of a need to keep politics out of wildlife and public lands management — that hasn't changed. We aim to keep you informed, especially when the interests of sportsmen, women, and other outdoor enthusiasts are under threat. When bad bills come up, we work tirelessly in our communications with decision-makers and collaborate closely with other groups and organizations to defeat those bills. But your voice is a particularly powerful one — we need our legislators to hear it. 

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Current Bills AWF is Monitoring in the 2025 Legislative Session

HCR = House Concurrent Resolution

SCR = Senate Concurrent Resolution

SB = Senate Bill

Oppose:

SB1068: federal government; land acquisition; consent

Primarily Sponsored by Senators Finchem and Angius

Seeks to require state government approval before the federal government can acquire land within the state's boundaries. While proponents argue the bill aims to assert state sovereignty and protect local interests, critics raise substantial concerns about its potential economic, environmental, and legal impacts. 

This is the same bill that would prevent a private property owner from selling their property to the federal government that we see every year in the legislature. From private property rights to hindering important conservation projects and access, this bill is no good. We strongly encourage you to use your voice and speak out against this bill. Scroll down this page to see examples of what we would lose with this legislation.*

SB1278: technical correction; self-service storage; notice

Primarily Sponsored by Senator Finchem

This proposed bill includes a 'strike everything' amendment that would create a Department and Commission on Natural Resources, responsible for overseeing the acquisition and management of all state lands. The bill would require private landowners to grant the state a right of first refusal if they plan to sell land to the federal government. Additionally, the bill would grant this new agency the authority to modify, deny, or issue permits related to resource extraction, even if those permits were originally issued by other agencies.

This is yet another attempt to block the acquisition of public lands from willing private property sellers. Quite simply, it adds unnecessary oversight and bureaucracy, infringing on private property rights.

SCR1018: Federal lands; supporting disposal

Primarily Sponsored by Senator Finchem

Anti-30x30 resolution calling for the disposal of federally held unappropriated lands by the Bureau of Land Management.

This resolution, asking for the disposal of our public Bureau of Land Management lands, sends a dangerous and misleading message to our administration that we don’t value our public lands in Arizona. Divesting Arizonans of their public lands would have severe negative and permanent impacts on hunters, anglers, and all who recreate in Arizona’s outdoors. 

HB2059: natural resources; federal law; requirements

Primarily Sponsored by Representatives Fink, Keshel, and Powell

State and local government employees are prohibited from knowingly participating in the enforcement of federal acts, laws, orders, rules, or regulations related to natural resource extractive industries if such regulations do not exist under state law. This bill also prevents the use of state or local funds to assist federal agencies in enforcing such regulations. Employees who violate these provisions can face civil penalties of up to $3,000 for a first offense and potentially 60 days in jail.

This bill would prevent biologists, agency professionals, and other experts from weighing in and influencing important decisions relating to our natural resources.

HB2588: wildlife; taking; landowner permits; rules

Primarily Sponsored by Representative Griffin

Requires the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) to issue landowner permits for the taking of elk, antelope, oryx, and deer on private lands and authorizes the adoption of rules to expand landowner permits to other species of wildlife. The Department is required to issue landowner permits to private landowners upon determination of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission that a permit is required to reduce human-wildlife conflicts and provide sport hunting opportunities.

Without a doubt, this bill would be detrimental to Arizona sportsmen and women and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.

HCM2004: military bases; exemption from ESA

Primarily Sponsored by Representative Griffin

This resolution calls for Congress to enact legislation exempting United States military bases and training facilities from the regulations and restrictions of the Endangered Species Act. 

While a strong military is crucial to our nation's security, exemptions from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) are unnecessary for maintaining that strength. The ESA, signed into law in 1973 by Republican President Richard Nixon, was a response to the declining populations of many plants and animals. Given the ongoing challenges of urban expansion and human population growth, the ESA is more critical today than ever.

HB2083: Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) Commission; membership

Primarily Sponsored by Representative Griffin

Requires at least one member of the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) Commission to be a cattleman or rancher.

The ranching community plays a vital role in conserving our lands and wildlife and deserves representation on our commission. However, reserving a dedicated seat for a ranching representative could set a precedent for other special interest groups to demand the same.

Support:

HCR2011: Arizona State Parks Heritage Fund

Primarily Sponsored by Representative Travers and Senator Shope

This proposes an annual allocation of $10 million from the state lottery fund to the Heritage Fund, contingent on voter approval. The Heritage Fund provides grant opportunities for trail projects, outdoor environmental education programs, local, regional, and state parks, as well as historic preservation projects through legislatively appropriated funds.

SB1211: Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) Publications Revolving Fund

Primarily Sponsored by Representative Dunn

Increases the total amount of money that can be held within the AZGFD Revolving Fund, a fund authorized solely for the production and distribution of Department publications and information from $80,000 to $250,000.

HB2603: hunting; fishing; license; deferred prosecution

Primarily Sponsored by Representative Nguyen

This bill would allow the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) Commission more latitude in prosecuting wildlife offenders appropriately.

HB2135: unlawful camping; stock; wildlife; access

Primarily Sponsored by Representative Bliss

Under current statute, it is unlawful for a person to camp within 1/4 mile of a natural water hole or man-made watering facility containing water in such a place that wildlife or domestic stock would be denied access. This proposed bill would remove the requirement that the restricted water source must be the only reasonably available source of water for wildlife or livestock. This bill simply closes a loophole that makes camping near a water source illegal regardless of other waters nearby.

SB1004: unlawful release of mylar balloons

Primarily Sponsored by Senator Kavanagh

This legislation would prohibit anyone 18 or older from intentionally releasing, coordinating, overseeing, or causing the release of ten or more gas-filled balloons. Anyone who spends time in the backcountry understands all too well the impact these balloons have on our public lands.

Tracking:

SB1053: wildlife; firearms discharge; structures; distance

Primarily Sponsored by Senator Rogers

Modifies the circumstances where it is unlawful to discharge a firearm to allow the discharge of a shotgun loaded with bird or game shot or a device that fires an arrow while taking small game wildlife within 1/4 mile to 1/8 mile of an occupied farmhouse or other residence without permission of the owner or resident.

This bill would cut the legal distance a firearm could be discharged from a residence in half while using a shotgun loaded with birdshot. While those familiar with shotguns are aware that this 1/8 of a mile is a safe distance, there are obvious concerns with public perceptions and the potential to create issues between the sporting/firearm community with the general public.

HB2224: unlawful wildlife feeding; enforcement; penalty

Primarily Sponsored by Representative Gress

Removes county population limitation of less than 280,000 persons for existing statute regarding unlawful feeding of wildlife, and applies the prohibition statewide. Expands the application of unlawful feeding of wildlife to include intentionally or knowingly creating a wildlife habitat without legal authority. Imposes a mandatory fine of $1,000 for offenses committed within a city or town with a population exceeding 100,000 persons.

This bill has the potential to make the creation of wildlife habitat on private property illegal. It's easy to see the wide-reaching implications—flower gardens, water gardens, or even basic landscaping could fall under this prohibition. While this may be driven by constituent concerns, we hope the issue is addressed and that the bill ultimately fades away.

HB2552: dogs; hunting; rules; prohibition

Primarily Sponsored by Representative Diaz

Prohibits the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) Commission from adopting rules that ban the use of dogs for taking wildlife.

This bill, as it’s currently written, could create potential issues for our Commission in the form of opening up the hunting of all wildlife with dogs, e.g. elk and deer. We are watching closely for amendments to this bill that would allow us to support it.