Voters can access the annual Arizona Humane Scorecard to learn which state representatives and senators are animal champions

PHOENIX, Az. (September 16, 2026)—Today, Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society Legislative Fund, released its 2026 Arizona Humane Scorecard ahead of the general election on November 3, where the entire state legislature is up for election. The 2026 Arizona Humane Scorecard provides an overview of how every state legislator voted on important animal measures, including bills that advance animals’ wellbeing and those that sought to eradicate hard-won protections.

“This legislative session showed the progress Arizona can make for animals and the very real threats they continue to face,” said Briana Romero, Arizona state director for Humane World Action Fund. “Lawmakers successfully stopped proposals that would have weakened protections for wolves and other native wildlife, while also passing an important new law signed by Gov. Hobbs protecting domestic violence survivors whose pets are threatened as a means of coercion and control. We applaud those victories and will continue working with lawmakers across the aisle to build on them, including ending the sale of most cosmetics tested on animals and expanding access to pet-friendly housing.”

About the scorecard

The 2026 Arizona Humane Scorecard includes bills that were considered by the Arizona Legislature. 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.

Half of Arizona state senators received a 75% or better grade on the 2026 scorecard, including nine lawmakers who received perfect scores for their votes to protect animals. In the state house, a bipartisan group of 20 legislators (about a third of the chamber) received a grade of 78% or higher.

Bills that benefit animals in the scorecard are:

  • Pet Ownership Limits (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) and passed the state house.
  • Planned Communities (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) and passed the state house.
  • Cosmetics Sales (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) and passed the state senate.
  • Coercive Control Definition (HB 2995): The bill adds threat to injure or kill family pets to definition of coercive control, among other domestic violence protections for victims. Sponsored by Rep. Lisa Fink (R) and signed into law by Governor Katie Hobbs.

Lawmakers were also given positive credit in the scorecard for voting against bills that threatened the welfare of animals:

  • Definition of Predatory Animals (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) and passed the state house.
  • Mexican Wolves and Landowner Permits (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) and passed the state house.
  • Game and Fish Commission Membership (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) and passed the state house.
  • Mexican Wolf Federal Nullification (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) and was vetoed by the Governor.
  • Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest (HB 2497): The bill would have established a statutory right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife in Arizona while prioritizing consumptive uses in wildlife management, potentially limiting future wildlife protections. Sponsored by Rep. Michael Way (R) and passed the state house.
  • Mexican Wolves and Public Monies (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) and vetoed by Governor 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