17-491. Livestock loss board; members; terms; compensation; annual report; board termination

A. The livestock loss board is established to address the depredation of wolves on livestock operations. The livestock loss board consists of the following members:

1. The director of the Arizona department of agriculture or the director's designee.

2. The director of the Arizona game and fish department or the director's designee.

3. Three members who represent the livestock industry, who have knowledge and experience with wildlife impacts and management and who are appointed by the governor pursuant to section 38-211.

4. Two members who represent wildlife conservation or wildlife management, who have knowledge and experience with livestock production or management and who are appointed by the governor pursuant to section 38-211.

5. One member who is a livestock auction market owner and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

6. One member who is a faculty member at a university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents, who has expertise in agricultural and life sciences and who is appointed by the president of the senate.

B. The initial members of the livestock loss board who are appointed pursuant to subsection A, paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this section shall assign themselves by lot to terms of two and four years in office. All subsequent members serve four-year terms of office. The chairperson shall notify the governor's office, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives of these appointments.

C. A majority of the members constitute a quorum.

D. The livestock loss board shall annually elect a chairperson from its members.

E. Members of the livestock loss board are not eligible to receive compensation but are eligible for reimbursement of expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2.

F. The livestock loss board shall submit to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives on or before December 31 of each year a report of the number of applications for compensation, the total amount of monies provided to landowners, lessees and livestock operators that year and any recommendations. The livestock loss board shall provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

G. The board established by this section ends on July 1, 2023 pursuant to section 41-3103.