The 2026 Arizona Humane Scorecard is here – use it at the ballot box on November 3rd

The 2026 Arizona Humane Scorecard is now available online.

As this scorecard reveals, animals continue to face threats that we can stop at the ballot box by electing the right candidates to office.

Of the pro-animal bills that advanced this year in Arizona, HB 2995, now law, adds threat to injure or kill family pets to the state definition of coercive control, strengthening protections for survivors and their animals in domestic abuse situations.

The scorecard ratings also encompass elected officials’ support for legislation to end the sale of most cosmetics tested on animals and expand pet-friendly housing. While these priorities did not cross the finish line, Humane World Action Fund remains dedicated to fighting for the animals who are part of our families as well as those used in research, and we will continue to push for progress on these and other humane measures.

However, bills to undermine wolf conservation efforts, prioritize hunting as wildlife management and weaken protections for the state’s native wildlife all made it to the floor this year. Thanks to the hard work of animal advocates and humane lawmakers, they either failed to pass both chambers or were vetoed by Governor Katie Hobbs.

The 2026 Arizona Scorecard is an opportunity to hold those who advanced and supported such disastrous bills forward accountable—especially as every member of the Arizona legislature in both chambers will be on the ballot on November 3.

Humane World Action Fund urges Arizonans to review the 2026 Arizona Humane Scorecard, evaluate their representatives voted, and take the scorecard with them to the ballot box on November 3. When animal advocates show up, we build pro-animal majorities able to enact policies that take us still further in our efforts to end animal cruelty.

Using the Scorecard

This year’s Arizona Humane Scorecard includes bills that were considered by the Arizona General Assembly. Here is a list of each bill and how to read the scorecard.

Pet Ownership Limits (HB 4017): A ✓ indicates a pro-animal stance by voting in favor of HB 4017. The bill prohibits planned community associations (HOAs) in Arizona from restricting household pets by breed, size, or weight, while allowing reasonable rules on pet behavior. Sponsored by Rep. Matt Gress (R), it passed the state house.
Planned Communities (SB 1582): A ✓ indicates a pro-animal stance by voting in favor of SB 1582. The bill prohibits planned community associations (HOAs) in Arizona from restricting household pets by breed, size, or weight, while allowing reasonable rules on pet behavior. This bill was a revived version of HB 4017. Sponsored by Sen. Kevin Payne (R), it passed the state house.
Cosmetics Sales (SB 1005): A ✓ indicates a pro-animal stance by voting in favor of SB 1005. The bill would end the sale of most cosmetics tested on animals in Arizona, helping reduce the demand for animal testing while promoting cruelty-free alternatives. Sponsored by Sen. John Kavanagh (R), it passed the state senate.
Coercive Control Definition (HB 2995): A ✓ indicates a pro-animal stance by voting in favor of HB 2995. The bill adds threat to injure or kill family pets to definition of coercive control. Sponsored by Rep. Lisa Fink (R), it was signed into law by the Governor.
Definition of Predatory Animals (HB 2158): A ✓ indicates a pro-animal stance by voting against HB 2158. The bill would have expanded Arizona's definition of "predatory animals" to include bears and mountain lions, potentially weakening protections for these native wildlife species by changing how they are classified under state law. Sponsored by Rep. Lupe Diaz (R), passed the state house.
Mexican Wolves and Landowner Permits (HB 2159): A ✓ indicates a pro animal stance by voting against HB 2159. The bill would have expanded the circumstances under which Arizona landowners could obtain permits to take Mexican gray wolves, increasing risks to this federally endangered species. Sponsored by Rep. Lupe Diaz (R), it passed the state house.
Game and Fish Commission Membership (HB 2162): A ✓ indicates a pro-animal stance by voting against HB 2162. The bill would have required that at least one member of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission be a cattleman or rancher, unfairly tilting the Commission in favor of livestock interests at the expense of balanced wildlife management. Sponsored by Rep. Lupe Diaz (R), it passed the state house.
Mexican Wolf Federal Nullification (HB 2787): A ✓ indicates a pro-animal stance by voting against HB 2787. The bill would have prohibited Arizona state and local agencies from cooperating with the federal Mexican gray wolf recovery program, undermining conservation efforts for this endangered species. Sponsored by Rep. Lupe Diaz (R), it was vetoed by the Governor.
Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest (HB 2497): A ✓ indicates a pro-animal stance by voting against HB 2497. The bill would have established a statutory right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife in Arizona while prioritizing consumptive use in wildlife management, potentially limiting future wildlife protections. Sponsored by Rep. Michael Way (R), it passed the state house.
Mexican Wolves and Public Monies (SB 1280): A ✓ indicates a pro animal-stance by voting against SB 1280. The bill would have prohibited the use of public funds to support the reintroduction of Mexican gray wolves in Arizona and imposed additional restrictions on wolf recovery and management efforts. Sponsored by Sen. David Farnsworth (R), it was vetoed by the Governor.

About our methodology

Humane World Action Fund acknowledges the limitations of judging legislators based on a few votes on animal issues, however important those issues may be. In some cases, legislators must miss votes for unavoidable reasons, such as a death in the family, serious illness, birth of a child or emergency in their district. Moreover, some bills may have good intentions but include problematic language or have unintended legal consequences.

There are also many potential reasons why a legislator votes a certain way—even more reason for you to engage with elected officials directly and ask them about their positions.

Finally, in assessing the record of your representatives, and your strategy for engaging them in the future, you should consider unrecorded matters such as committee participation and performance, House or Senate leadership posts, constituent engagement and responsiveness, and other animal protection bills not included in this scorecard.

The full 2026 Arizona Humane Scorecard, and scorecards from previous sessions, can be found online at humaneaction.org/state-scorecards.

With election day fast approaching, Humane World Action Fund urges Arizonans to review the 2026 Arizona Humane Scorecard, share it with other people who care about animals, and encourage them to make sure that they too are ready to vote on November 3rd by visiting our elections center. Together, we can elect and reelect humane champions and make an even greater difference for animals.