HB 2197 Arizona House · 57th Legislature - Second Regular Session

unlawful camping; stock; wildlife; access

HB 2197 prohibits camping within one-quarter mile of natural or man-made water sources if the camping blocks wildlife or livestock from accessing water. It directly affects people camping near water holes or watering facilities in Arizona. The key provision creates a specific buffer zone (1/4 mile) around water access points to prevent denial of water to animals. This amendment updates Arizona law to clarify restrictions on camping near critical water sources. The bill is currently in early legislative stages with no votes taken yet.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status failed 2 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

House Failed

Mar 2026

Governor

Introduced Jan 9, 2026 Last action Mar 16, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Version → House Engrossed Version (03/16/2026) · 3 edits · Feb 26, 2026

MINOR

This bill adds a new statute prohibiting camping near water sources and modifies an existing one to clarify the rules. The new law creates a specific class 2 misdemeanor for camping within 300 yards of water if it blocks domestic stock access. The existing law was updated to change the distance from one-fourth mile to 300 yards and to explicitly include domestic stock in the denial of access alongside wildlife.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope by adding a new criminal provision for camping that previously did not exist in this specific form, while simultaneously tightening the distance restriction in the original statute from a quarter-mile to 300 yards.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section (13-2931) making it a class 2 misdemeanor to camp within 300 yards of a water source if it prevents domestic stock from accessing water.

Changed the distance restriction in Section 17-308 from one-fourth mile to 300 yards.

DEFINITION

Clarified that the prohibition applies when access is denied to either wildlife or domestic stock.

Floor votes · House Mar 16, 2026

How they voted

15–36

Failed · 9 other

Total votes 60

Mar 16, 2026

D Democratic27

21 Nay 6

77% Nay

R Republican33

15 Yea 15 Nay 3

45% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 16, 2026

Vote failed

House Vote: fail (15-36-9)

house

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors