Humane World Action Fund’s first-ever state report highlights bipartisan cooperation on strengthening animal cruelty laws and blocking anti-animal legislation

PHOENIX, Az. (October 30, 2025)—Voters in Arizona now have a new resource to understand how their elected officials stand on animal protection issues. The first-ever Arizona Humane Scorecard from the nation’s leading political animal advocacy organization, Humane World Action Fund (formerly called Humane Society Legislative Fund), grades state lawmakers on their actions to advance animal protection during the most recent legislative session.

The scorecard highlights multiple pro-animal bills that passed with bipartisan support and were signed into law this year. Thanks to the actions of cross-party coalitions, loopholes in Arizona’s animal cruelty laws will be closed, animal cruelty offenses will be elevated to felony status, and Arizonans who rely on assistance animals will have equal access to housing.

"We applaud the state legislators who have stood as champions for animals, creating laws and casting their votes in favor of those who cannot speak for themselves. We look forward to continuing our work at the State Capitol alongside these leaders to make life better for all animals in Arizona,” said Bri Romero, Arizona state director for Humane World Action Fund.

Nearly a quarter of all Arizona state senators received a 75% or better grade on the scorecard, including five lawmakers who received perfect scores for their votes on behalf of pro-animal issues. In the State House, a bipartisan group of 31 legislators (about half the chamber) received a grade of 71% or higher.

About the scorecard

The 2025 Arizona Humane Scorecard features the bills listed below. Humane World Action Fund only scores bills that receive roll-call votes to accurately reflect legislators’ actions. When reading the scorecard, a ✓ indicates a pro-animal action.

  • Failure to Treat (SB 1658): This bill closes loopholes in Arizona’s cruelty laws and sets clear, humane standards. It removes the “protracted suffering” requirement so authorities can act before neglect becomes fatal, defines “cruel neglect” to include lack of food, water, shelter or medical care, and ensures animals are protected from preventable pain. These updates give law enforcement stronger tools and make Arizona a leader in compassionate, commonsense protections. SB 1658 was sponsored by Sen. Shawna Bolick (R-2) and signed into law.
  • Animal Cruelty Felony Classification (SB 1198): This bill makes severe animal cruelty a felony, ensuring Arizona treats egregious neglect and abuse as serious crimes. It gives law enforcement stronger tools to hold offenders accountable, deters future abuse, and reflects the state’s commitment to compassion and public safety. SB 1198 was sponsored by Sen. Kevin Payne (R-27) and signed into law.
  • Assistance Animals (HB 2068): This bill clarifies rules for assistance and emotional support animals in housing, setting fair documentation standards and clear landlord obligations. It protects tenants with legitimate needs, prevents misuse and promotes housing access, stability and animal welfare. HB 2068 was sponsored by Rep. Nickolas Kupper (R-25) and signed into law.
  • Brand Inspectors and Animal Damage Control (HB 2544): This bill increases funding for the Arizona Department of Agriculture to strengthen programs that protect animals, agriculture and communities. Added resources improve livestock tracking, prevent theft and support fire ant control which safeguards ecosystems, public health and the state’s agricultural economy. HB 2544 was sponsored by Rep. Lupe Diaz (R-19) and passed the state house.

Humane World Action Fund also scored lawmakers’ votes on three pieces of hostile legislation introduced in the Arizona state legislature. Lawmakers received positive credit on the scorecard for voting against these bills.

  • HB 2031 proposed a sweeping repeal and restructuring of numerous state boards, commissions and statutes regulating agriculture, animal services and veterinary practices. It risked weakening enforcement of cruelty laws, reducing specialized oversight of animal health and welfare, and creating statutory gaps that could leave animals more vulnerable to exploitation.
  • HB 2083 would have required at least one member of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission be a cattleman or rancher, thereby tilting the Commission’s priorities toward livestock interests over conservation or animal protection.
  • SB 1721 sought to block Arizona and local governments from setting housing size standards for egg-laying hens, allowing cruel confinement practices to continue.

Thanks to bipartisan opposition, both HB 2031 and HB 2083 failed to pass both chambers of the legislature, and SB 1721 was defeated via veto from Governor Katie Hobbs.

As the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal protection, Humane World Action Fund publishes state legislative and congressional scorecards to track the relevant votes, co-sponsorships and other actions of lawmakers. These scorecards highlight which lawmakers are leading on animal protection, and which ones need greater pressure to act. Explore all our scorecards online at humaneaction.org/humane-scorecard.

Media Contact: Liz Bartolomeo: ebartolomeo@humaneaction.org, 240-472-0475