AZ HB2598

Establishes an agricultural workforce development program administered by the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Office to provide reimbursements to food-producing agricultural organizations that hire apprentices.

Requires participating organizations to pay apprentices at least Arizona's state minimum wage and grants preference to farms and ranches owned by farmers in rural or tribal areas or historically underserved populations.

Appropriates $500,000 annually from the state general fund to the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Office to implement the program, with up to 10 percent available for administrative costs.

Directs the extension office to determine reimbursement amounts and the number of approved apprenticeships based on available funding, and requires annual reporting to the governor and legislature on program effectiveness by December 1.

Defines key terms including "actual cost," "agricultural organization," and "historically underserved" farmers, which includes beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, veteran farmers, and other limited-resource farmers.