AZ HB2588

Requires persons convicted of felony animal cruelty (A.R.S. § 13-2910, subsections A(8) or (9)) or animal fighting (A.R.S. § 13-2910.01) to register with the Department of Public Safety within five calendar days of conviction or entering the state.

Mandates a two-year registration period for first convictions and five-year registration period for second or subsequent convictions of qualifying offenses.

Establishes a searchable central animal abuser registry maintained by the Department of Public Safety on its website, containing name, photograph, and identifying information, searchable by name and location.

Requires animal sellers, rescues, and adoption organizations that transfer three or more animals annually to search the registry before selling, gifting, adopting, or transferring any companion animal to verify the person is not listed.

Establishes a class 4 felony penalty for failure to register and a minimum civil penalty of $250 for knowingly transferring animals to persons listed on the registry.