Arizona’s Pet-Friendly License Plate –
The Legislative Effort

In Arizona, it takes more than metal and paint to create a “specialty” license plate. It requires passage of a bill by the Arizona Legislature.

Such a bill came before the Second Regular Session of the Forty-sixth Legislature in 2004. State Rep. Marian A. McClure (R-Tucson) introduced House Bill 2323 to create a specialty plate that would show support for companion animals and raise revenue to pay for spay and neuter services for dogs and cats statewide. McClure introduced the bill at the request of the Arizona Humane Society (AHS), which lobbied strongly on its behalf, with assistance from the Animal Defense League (ADL). Key lobbyists include Duane Adams, AHS vice president of Operations & Animal Services and Carmine Cardamone with the ADL.

After months of consideration, legislators passed the bill as the session came to a close. Governor Janet Napolitano signed the bill into law in June 2004 – and again during a ceremonial event on August 20, 2004. The law took effect five days later. In sum, HB2323 had the effect of:

1. Implementing a companion-animal license plate for an annual fee of $25; of that amount, $8 is collected by the Arizona Department of Transportation for administrative purposes and $17 is considered a “donation” to a spay/neuter fund;

2. Creating a governor-appointed Companion Animal Spay and Neuter Committee to oversee distribution of the spay/neuter fund; and

3. Outlining how organizations that qualify can apply for money in the spay/neuter fund so that surgical sterilization services for dogs and cats are available statewide.

With the passage of HB 2323, Arizona became the 28th state to pass legislation aimed at creating this type of “specialty” license plate for motorists. The “pet-friendly” plate is Arizona’s 56th specialty plate.

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