Governor Signs SB 1223 (License Simplification)

Governor Jan Brewer on May 7 signed into law Senate Bill 1223, a bill that allows the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to set future hunting and fishing license structure and fees directly through a streamlined, customer-focused process.

The bill, which is supported by 24 sportsmen's organizations, gives the Game and Fish Department the ability to operate more like a business and react to changing market conditions and customer needs in a timely manner. It previously passed the Arizona House, 43-10, on April 15 and the Arizona Senate, 26-2, on March 6.

The department has now presented its proposed public outreach process to the Game and Fish Commission at the commission's meeting on May 11.

Next, the department will engage in a public outreach effort, including statewide public meetings, to solicit input on a conceptual license structure and fees.

"It's important to keep in mind that the license structure and fee concepts that will be shown at the public meetings will only be that — concepts," said Deputy Director Ty Gray. "They are not recommendations at this point, but are meant to serve as a starting point for discussion. We want to know what constituents think and what input they might have."

The remaining public meetings are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on the following dates:

Monday, May 20, Phoenix, Arizona Game And Fish Department headquarters, 5000 W. Carefree Highway (Note: This meeting will also be webcast at http://www.azgfd.gov/webcast)

Monday, May 20, Mesa, Arizona Game And Fish Department Mesa regional office, 7200 E. University Drive

Tuesday, May 21, Tucson, Arizona Game And Fish Department Tucson regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road

Wednesday, May 22, Yuma, Arizona Game And Fish Department Yuma regional office, 9140 E. 28th St.

Wednesday, May 22, Flagstaff, Arizona Game And Fish Department Flagstaff regional office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road

Thursday, May 23, Kingman, Arizona Game And Fish Department Kingman regional office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road

It is anticipated that additional public meetings will be held in each region. Those meeting locations and dates will be posted at http://www.azgfd.gov/LicenseSimplification as soon as they become available. Interested individuals are encouraged to monitor that webpage.

For those who can't attend the public meetings, input/comments will be accepted at http://www.LicenseSimplification@azgfd.gov.

For more information about SB 1223, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/LicenseSimplification.