In compliance with House Bill 2008 (Laws 2009, Third Special Session, Chapter 7, Section 28) the Arizona Game and Fish Commission has placed a hold on all rulemaking activities throughout the remainder of fiscal year 2009 - 2010, except rulemakings approved by the Governor’s office.
House Bill 2008 exempts rulemaking that meets specific criterion including, but not limited to, rulemakings that address the state budget, are deregulatory, eliminate or replace obsolete language, implement the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), or impact the critical public peace, health, and safety functions of an agency. Rulemakings that meet the exemption criteria and are presented to the Governor’s office for approval and, if approved, will be posted here; please check back.
During this time, the public may continue to submit comments regarding Department rules. Comments received in regards to any Game and Fish Commission rules will be retained by the Department to be considered once rulemaking activities are resumed.
The Governor’s office approved the Department’s request to pursue the following rulemakings:
Notice of Docket Opening and Proposed Rulemaking |
Additional Information |
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Article 3, dealing with the taking and handling of live wildlife. |
The Department proposes to establish a new rule, R12-4-309, to provide the Department with necessary proactive regulatory measures designed to address issues involving the use of drugs on wildlife. Individuals administering improper amounts of drugs to wildlife may cause unintended mortalities to occur. Thus, the Commission has determined that certain criteria and standards must be achieved by anyone requesting authorization to use drugs on wildlife in order to ensure the protection and preservation of Arizona’s wildlife resources.
The Department proposes to amend R12-4-318 to allow individuals to possess a non-hunting handgun for personal protection during archery-only and muzzleloader-only seasons. The Department believes that it is necessary to allow individuals participating in these seasons to possess a non-hunting handgun for their own personal protection. The amended rule clearly stipulates that a non-hunting handgun is a handgun with a barrel length of six inches or less that does not have a scope or any type of electronic sight.
The Commission will review these recommendations at the February 2010 Commission Meeting. |
Article 6, dealing with rules of practice before the Commission |
The Department proposes to amend R12-4-601, R12-4-610, R12-4-611 to reflect the Department’s current address.
The Commission will review these recommendations at the February 2010 Commission Meeting. |
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Notice of Exempt Rulemaking |
Additional Information |
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Article 8, dealing with wildlife areas and Department property |
The Department proposes to amend R12-4-802 as follows: Becker Lake Wildlife Area - implement a nightly closure and expand the time period in which the wildlife area is open to the public; Cibola Valley Conservation and Wildlife Area - add this newly acquired wildlife area and establish restrictions and conditions for its public use; Luna Lake Wildlife Area - provide better protection for nesting bald eagles by reducing the time period in which the wildlife area is open to the public; Upper Verde Wildlife Area - clarify the open fire ban, establish restrictions for vehicular access, and specify when dogs must be leashed.
The Department proposes to amend R12-4-803 to add wildlife area boundary descriptions for newly acquired Department properties; Cibola Valley Conservation and Wildlife Area and new properties located within the Arlington Wildlife Area.
The Commission will review these recommendations at the February 2010 Commission Meeting. |
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For more information on our rules or to submit a comment on a rulemaking, contact our Rules and Risk Section:
Rules and Risk Section
Office: (623) 236-7390
E-mail: Rulemaking@azgfd.gov |
