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SB1280 • 2026

public monies; Mexican wolf; prohibition

SB1280 - public monies; Mexican wolf; prohibition

Vetoed

The latest official action shows the governor vetoed this bill. Check the bill history to see whether lawmakers later overrode that veto.

Sponsor
David C. Farnsworth
Last action
2026-06-19
Official status
Governor vetoed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill status is Vetoed; it did not become effective law unless overridden, which remains unknown based on provided data.

SB1280: Rules and Funding Limits on Mexican Gray Wolves

This bill would require a written agreement with federal officials before releasing or moving Mexican gray wolves in Arizona, set specific rules for where they can go, mandate detailed reports to the state commission, and ban using public money to bring wolf puppies into the state.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires an attempt to create a memorandum of understanding with U.S. federal officials before any release, moving, or cross-fostering of Mexican gray wolves in Arizona.
  • Prohibits releasing, moving, or cross-fostering wolves within three miles of state trust land or private property under the agreement.
  • Requires that every wolf released, moved, or cross-fostered has a full DNA profile recorded.
  • Orders the department to report at every commission meeting on wolf deaths and reasons for death, feeding costs, captures with reasons and DNA profiles, collar locations, and incidents involving people or pets.
  • Bans transporting Mexican gray wolf puppies into Arizona.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Arizona Game and Fish Commission
  • Federal agencies partnering with the state department

Terms To Know

Cross-fostering
Placing a wolf pup in the care of another animal's family to raise it.
Translocation
Moving an animal from one location to another within or outside its current range.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The governor vetoed this bill, so it did not become law.
  • It is unknown if lawmakers later voted to override the veto and pass the bill anyway.
  • The text does not specify how long these rules would last if they had been enacted.

Bill History

  1. 2026-06-10 V

    Governor vetoed

  2. 2026-06-09 Senate

    Transmitted to Senate

  3. 2026-06-09 House

    House third read passed

  4. 2026-04-07 House

    House committee of the whole

  5. 2026-03-24 House

    House minority caucus

  6. 2026-03-24 House

    House majority caucus

  7. 2026-03-23 House

    House consent calendar

  8. 2026-03-03 House

    House second read

  9. 2026-03-02 House

    House Rules: C&P

  10. 2026-03-02 House

    House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs: DP

  11. 2026-03-02 House

    House first read

  12. 2026-02-24 House

    Transmitted to House

  13. 2026-02-24 Senate

    Senate third read passed

  14. 2026-02-24 Senate

    Senate committee of the whole

  15. 2026-02-10 Senate

    Senate minority caucus

  16. 2026-02-10 Senate

    Senate majority caucus

  17. 2026-02-09 Senate

    Senate consent calendar

  18. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Senate second read

  19. 2026-01-22 Senate

    Senate Rules: PFC

  20. 2026-01-22 Senate

    Senate Natural Resources: DP

  21. 2026-01-22 Senate

    Senate first read

Official Summary Text

SB1280 - public monies; Mexican wolf; prohibition

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
SB1280 - 572R - S Ver

Senate Engrossed

public monies;
Mexican wolf; prohibition

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SENATE BILL 1280

AN
ACT

Amending section 17-253, Arizona
Revised Statutes; RELATING to THE aRIZONA GAME AND fISH commission.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it
enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 17-253, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE
17-253.

Mexican gray wolf; memorandum of understanding; reporting

A. The commission shall attempt to enter into a
memorandum of understanding with the United States fish and wildlife service
regarding the endangered species act and the release, translocation and cross-fostering
of Mexican gray wolves prior to any release, translocation or cross-fostering
in this state.� The memorandum of understanding shall specify that a Mexican
gray wolf release, translocation or cross-fostering may not occur:

1. Within three miles of state trust land or private
property.

2. Without a full DNA profile on each Mexican gray
wolf that is released, translocated or cross-fostered.

B. The department shall report to the commission at
every commission meeting the following information:

1. Any known death of a Mexican gray wolf in this
state and, if known, the reason for the death.

2. The number of Mexican gray wolves that are
supplemented with feed in this state and the cost of the supplementation.

3. The number of Mexican gray wolves that are
captured in this state by the department or a federal agency partnering with
the department, the reason for the capture and the full DNA profile on each
Mexican gray wolf captured.

4. The location of all collared Mexican gray wolves
in this state.

5. All human and domestic animal incidents in this
state that involve a Mexican gray wolf.

C. Notwithstanding any other law, the
commission may not do either of the following:

1. Transport mexican gray wolf
puppies into the boundaries of this state.

2. Spend public monies or use public
resources for the transportation of mexican gray wolf puppies into the
boundaries of this state.
END_STATUTE