Gov. Ducey signs dozens of Arizona bills, including protections for Salt River wild horses

Gov. Doug Ducey signed 76 bills into law Wednesday, including legislation that will provide increased protections to the wild Salt River horses.

House Bill 2340 makes it a crime to chase, harass, capture or slaughter any of the more than 100 horses in the Salt River herd without permission from the Arizona Department of Agriculture or the county sheriff. The state agency and sheriff are allowed to give such permission only for humane purposes.

“The Salt River horses are beautiful, majestic and a treasure to our state," Ducey said in a statement. "Since last summer, we have worked to protect them and their ability to roam free."

Last summer, the U.S. Forest Service announced it would round up the horses and sell them to protect the river and forest environment near Mesa. The resulting protests included calls from Arizona's congressional delegation, and federal land managers backed down.

Ducey said the law also paves the way for state, local and federal officials to work together to protect the herd.

Rep. Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, sponsored the bill, which received nearly unanimous support from both the House and Senate. The legislation was a joint effort that included local law enforcement, the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros and the Salt River Wild Horse Management Group.

“This law will truly help these beautiful horses, preserving one of the oldest and most treasured natural wonders in our state," Townsend said in a statement. "Together, we have shown that Arizona cares about its natural beauty and wildlife.”

Ducey also signed several other bills Wednesday. The new laws go into effect Aug. 6.

Attracting doctors to Arizona

HB 2502 allows Arizona to participate in a medical-licensing compact that allows doctors to become licensed in multiple states.

Ducey said in a statement that the new law will help Arizona attract quality doctors by decreasing licensing time and letting "the world's most talented physicians know that Arizona is open for business."

Therapy dogs in court

HB 2375 requires the court to allow juvenile crime victims to bring a "facility dog" with them while they testify in court and allows the court to do the same for witnesses of all ages and adult victims.

“Our heart goes to children who have been victims of crimes, and we need to be doing everything possible as a state to protect them and provide them the support they need as they face the hurdles of the criminal justice system,” Ducey said in a statement. "Therapy dogs have a proven positive impact on comforting both children and adults under intimidating and stressful circumstances."

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery said in a statement that his office has used a therapy-dog program for more than five years, and he has seen the comfort such dogs provide to victims testifying in court. This law will expand that program statewide.

Drone regulations

Senate Bill 1449 makes it a misdemeanor to operate a drone in violation of federal law or if the operation interferes with police, firefighters or any emergency operations. This includes the federal law forbidding drones within 5 miles of an airport without prior clearance. It makes it a felony to use a drone to intentionally photograph or loiter over or near a critical facility such as a dam, prison, railroad or power line with the intent to commit another crime. It also prohibits cities, towns and counties from passing any drone regulations; and deems void any ordinances that have already been passed.

Sex offender website

SB 1286 requires the sex-offender website to include anyone convicted of rape, child molestation or other crimes of child prostitution or sexual exploitation of a child under age 12, regardless of the level of offense.

Arizona's sex-offender registry omits many child molesters, rapists

Crime records

Prevents the public from accessing crime photos of any victim or any minor — whether a victim, witness or convicted criminal — unless a court decides the public interest outweighs the witness' or victim's right to privacy. It would prevent the public from accessing personal identifying information of a witness unless the witness agrees to it in writing or a court orders it disclosed.

Bills would limit access to public records in Arizona

Tax relief for crop dusters

HB 2133 excludes crop dusters from sales taxes. The proposal would be retroactive to 1985, and would allow affected sellers to apply for a refund. The total cost of all refunds cannot exceed $10,000. According to legislative staff, the impact going forward would be about $18,600 a year.