HB 2139 Summary

• Amends section 17-314 of Arizona Revised Statutes regarding civil liability for illegally taking or wounding wildlife.

• Clarifies terminology by changing "antelope" to "pronghorn (antelope)" in the category of animals for which minimum damages of $1,500 per animal can be recovered.

• Maintains existing minimum damage amounts for illegal taking of wildlife, ranging from $50 for small game or aquatic animals to $8,000 for trophy or endangered species.

• Allows minimum damages to be doubled for a second violation and tripled for a third violation by the same person.

• Directs all monies recovered from civil actions to be deposited into the wildlife theft prevention fund.