wildlife; unlawful taking; civil penalty

SB 1759 sets minimum civil fines for illegally taking, wounding, killing, or possessing wildlife in Arizona. It establishes tiered penalties based on the animal, such as $50 for small game and $8,000 for bighorn sheep or endangered species. Repeat violations face doubled or tripled fines, and recovered funds go to a wildlife theft prevention fund. The bill directly affects individuals who illegally hunt or handle protected wildlife, imposing financial consequences without altering hunting regulations.