Committee backs ban on camping near stock and wildlife waters, adds misdemeanor penalty

The Arizona House Rural Affairs Committee on Feb. 4 advanced House Bill 21-97 as amended, saying the measure is intended to protect livestock and wildlife access to ranch-developed and natural watering sites.

Corbin, a committee staffer, told members the bill removes the phrase limiting enforcement to places where water is the only reasonably available source and — through the Griffin amendment — sets a fixed buffer of 300 yards around natural or manmade watering facilities. The amendment also makes violating the restriction a class 2 misdemeanor.

Sponsor Representative Selena Bliss, who described the bill as a constituent-driven effort brought by cattle growers and other local stakeholders, said the language resulted from back-and-forth negotiation with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to avoid unintended impacts. “We’ve been working with those from Game and Fish for language that is suitable,” Bliss said.

Marsha Petrie Sue, chair of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, testified in support of the amended language and thanked staff and the sponsor for working through technical changes. Rancher Becky Ross told the committee camping proximate to stock tanks can leave livestock and wildlife without reliable access to water, saying such sites can become repeatedly used, denuded of grass and dangerous for animals when water is scarce.

Ed Sanchez of the Arizona Game and Fish Department told committee members that department concerns about the potential for "diversion" of agency resources and costs identified in earlier versions of the bill were addressed by the amendments. After brief discussion, the committee voted to return the bill with a “do pass” recommendation.

Next steps: HB 21-97 will move to the House rules and floor process where any additional amendments or objections can be raised.