unlawful feeding of wildlife; exception

SB 1709 amends Arizona law to clarify that feeding wildlife is generally unlawful, but lists specific exceptions. It allows lawful wildlife taking under state law, public safety/wildlife management activities by employees, normal farming practices, feeding tree squirrels or birds, and holiday decorations not intended to attract wildlife. The law applies only in Arizona counties with over 280,000 residents and classifies violations as petty offenses. This directly affects farmers, wildlife managers, and homeowners who display holiday decor, while prohibiting most other intentional wildlife feeding in designated areas. The bill does not change existing hunting or agricultural rules but explicitly defines permitted activities to reduce confusion.