Environment

signed · Arizona · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 1335: water banking; annual report; posting

SB 1335 requires Arizona's water banking commission to submit an annual report by July 1st each year, detailing all transactions and activities related to the state's water banking fund. The report must include specific financial accounting (monies expended and remaining), water storage volumes, long-term credit distributions, and a 10-year plan for future water banking services - including protecting against Colorado River shortages and supporting tribal water rights settlements. The commission must also post this report on its public website. This bill focuses solely on transparency and reporting requirements for the existing water banking program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates annual reporting on water banking including 10-year plan to protect against Colorado River shortages and support tribal water rights, directly advancing water resource conservation.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Arizona · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 2986: department of environmental quality; programs

HB 2986 amends Arizona law to regulate lead acid battery disposal and open burning. It prohibits landfill disposal and incineration of lead acid batteries, requiring retailers and others to recycle them through permitted smelters, manufacturers, or EPA/DEQ-authorized facilities. For open burning, the bill establishes new permit requirements for agricultural burning on farms over 40 acres, including registration, smoke dispersion limits, and conditions to prevent public nuisance. These changes directly affect battery retailers, recyclers, farmers, and local fire authorities managing burning permits. The law also creates registration fees for recycling facilities and clarifies county-level authority over burning permits.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits landfill/incineration of lead acid batteries and mandates recycling; adds permit requirements with smoke limits for agricultural burning to prevent pollution and public nuisance.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

vetoed · Arizona · Senate Jun 19, 2026

SB 1445: water quality; testing; on-site

SB 1445 modifies Arizona's water quality regulations to allow small municipalities (with populations between 1,000 and 10,000) to use EPA-approved on-site equipment for bacteriological testing of wastewater. It updates permit requirements for facilities discharging pollutants, including specifying that small towns may conduct this testing on-site instead of sending samples to external labs. The bill directly affects local governments and wastewater facilities in smaller communities by streamlining testing procedures while maintaining EPA standards. It also clarifies permit processes for aquifer protection and aligns with federal Clean Water Act requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllows small municipalities to use EPA-approved on-site testing for wastewater, maintaining regulatory standards while improving efficiency for water quality compliance.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · Arizona · House Jun 13, 2026

HB 4157: commerce; 2026-2027

This bill updates how money from Arizona's state lottery is distributed and clarifies rules for examining insurance companies. It ensures that funds are first used to pay off lottery-related bond debts, then allocates specific amounts to various programs including wildlife conservation, child safety, health education, and homeless shelters. The legislation also establishes a minimum deposit requirement for the state general fund before certain heritage funds can receive money and sets a schedule for quarterly transfers. Additionally, it mandates that the insurance director examine domestic insurers at least once every five years and allows for accepting reports from other states to avoid duplicate reviews.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates lottery funds to essential programs like wildlife conservation, child safety, and homeless shelters, directly funding public services.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates lottery funds specifically to wildlife conservation programs, directly supporting environmental protection efforts.65% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates funds to homeless shelters, directly supporting housing assistance and homelessness prevention.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Arizona · House Jun 13, 2026

HB 4159: environment; 2026-2027

This bill establishes annual groundwater withdrawal fees for users in Arizona's Prescott, Santa Cruz, Tucson, Phoenix, and Pinal active management areas, with a maximum rate of $5 per acre-foot. The collected funds are allocated to cover administrative costs, water supply augmentation, conservation assistance, water banking, and the purchase of older water rights, while also exempting small-scale irrigation operations. Additionally, the legislation creates a dedicated fund to finance the construction and rehabilitation of wells and infrastructure for irrigation districts in specific regions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes groundwater fees to fund conservation, water banking, and purchase of older water rights, directly protecting natural resources.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

failed · Arizona · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 2494: certificate; environmental compatibility; zoning; exemption

HB 2494 creates special zoning districts for aggregate mining operations in Arizona counties. It requires county boards to establish these districts based on petitions from residents near existing operations and form committees with equal representation from mining operators and community members to set local rules. The bill exempts aggregate mining from standard zoning restrictions within designated districts while requiring operators to follow specific environmental and operational standards for dust, noise, and site reclamation. This directly affects counties establishing zoning districts and aggregate mining operators seeking to expand or operate within these areas.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates specific environmental standards for aggregate mining operations within designated zones, requiring operators to comply with environmental protections despite zoning exemptions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · Arizona · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2078: reclamation plans; aggregate mining; notice

HB 2078 updates Arizona's requirements for reclamation plans at aggregate mining sites. It requires mining operators to notify residential property owners within a half-mile of the operation about proposed reclamation plans, using prior public notices (like zoning applications) if published within that radius. The bill specifies that reclamation plans must include detailed measures for erosion control, revegetation, safety for hazardous areas, and post-mining land use. These changes apply to new reclamation plans submitted on or after September 15, 2024.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires detailed erosion control, revegetation, and safety measures in mining reclamation plans, strengthening post-mining environmental restoration standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

vetoed · Arizona · House May 5, 2026

HB 4144: 2026-2027; environment.

This bill outlines how specific environmental funds in Arizona can be used during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It allows money from the underground storage tank fund to cover administrative costs and address sewage discharge problems in border areas like Naco. The legislation also permits the use of water banking and water protection funds to pay legal fees and cover departmental administrative expenses. Additionally, it sets a $15 million spending cap for the water quality assurance revolving fund and keeps vehicle emissions testing fees at their 2025 levels. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates funds for environmental programs, administrative costs, and legal fees, advancing fiscal management and funding essential state services.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates funds to address sewage discharge and administrative costs for environmental protection, indicating support for pollution control.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Arizona · House Apr 21, 2026

HCR 2057: supporting geothermal energy

HCR 2057 is a concurrent resolution supporting geothermal energy development in Arizona. It calls for state agencies (including the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Department of Environmental Quality, and others) to create a standardized permitting process for next-generation geothermal projects. The resolution does not create new laws but urges agencies to align existing rules to make permitting more predictable for developers. It directly affects geothermal energy companies and Arizona's regulatory agencies by promoting streamlined project approvals. The resolution passed the House and is now moving to the Senate.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly supports geothermal energy development by urging standardized permitting for renewable projects, advancing clean energy infrastructure and reducing developer barriers.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes geothermal energy development, a clean energy source, advancing environmental protection by facilitating renewable energy projects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · Arizona · House Apr 21, 2026

HCR 2020: for-sale housing; development; groundwater replenishment

HCR 2020 is a non-binding legislative resolution expressing support for for-sale housing developments outside designated water service areas, provided they enroll in the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD) and replenish groundwater as required by Arizona's water rules. It directly affects new housing projects in Phoenix, Pinal, and Tucson active management areas by requiring groundwater replenishment to offset usage. The resolution highlights that CAGRD has enabled over 400,000 homes to be built without impacting groundwater tables since 1995, aligning with existing state water management requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires groundwater replenishment for housing developments, conserving a natural resource per Arizona water rules.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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