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 · House Jun 19, 2026

HB 2013: exceptional events; air quality; wildfires

HB 2013 amends Arizona's air quality statute to clarify how the state handles "exceptional events" like wildfires. It requires the state air quality agency to develop policy statements for such events, considering Arizona's unique conditions, and mandates submitting wildfire-related demonstrations to the U.S. EPA if federally managed wildfires affect the state. The bill also adds a requirement for the agency to issue daily PM-10 dust forecasts for nonattainment areas, identifying risk levels based on weather, pollution data, and historical patterns. These changes directly affect the state air quality agency's procedures for managing air pollution during extreme events.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates daily PM-10 forecasts for pollution monitoring during wildfires, strengthening air quality management during exceptional events per Arizona's unique conditions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

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

Track

signed · Arizona · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2428: emissions; reduction credits; counties

HB 2428 clarifies jurisdiction over air pollution permits in Arizona, giving the state Department of Environmental Quality primary authority for major sources like power plants and refineries in counties without approved air plans. It allows counties to issue voluntary permits for emission reduction credits related to portable and mobile sources (like vehicles or temporary equipment). This affects local air agencies, businesses needing permits, and entities seeking to certify emission reductions under state law. The bill modifies existing permit procedures without changing pollution standards or creating new emission requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentClarifies DEQ authority for major sources and enables voluntary emission credits, promoting pollution control and regulatory clarity for air quality.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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

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

Track

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

Track

passed · Arizona · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 2918: renewable energy equipment; valuation; depreciation

HB 2918 changes how renewable energy and storage equipment is valued for property tax purposes in Arizona through 2040. It sets different valuation rules: non-utility-owned equipment is taxed at 100% of its depreciated cost, while utility-owned equipment is taxed at 20% of depreciated cost before January 1, 2027, and 100% after that date. The bill caps depreciation at 90% of the equipment's original cost and explicitly includes all energy storage (both co-located with solar/wind and standalone). This directly affects owners of renewable energy projects, including utilities and private developers, by altering their property tax burden based on ownership type and installation timeline.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax incentive for renewable energy equipment via reduced property tax rates (20% for utilities pre-2027).90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProvides tax incentives for renewable energy equipment by lowering valuation rates for utilities, promoting investment in clean energy infrastructure and storage systems.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTax incentives for renewable energy equipment lower barriers to adoption, promoting clean energy infrastructure and aligning with environmental protection goals through financial support for renewables.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

signed · Arizona · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2278: financial assurance; reclamation; escrow; trusts

HB 2278 updates Arizona's requirements for mining companies to provide financial assurance to cover future land reclamation costs after operations end. It specifies that mining operators must use approved mechanisms like surety bonds, trust funds, or cash deposits held in third-party escrow accounts. The bill clarifies that mining companies retain all interest earned on cash deposits in escrow accounts (minus fees), and allows partial release of funds as reclamation work progresses. It also standardizes procedures for inspectors to release financial assurance once reclamation is completed, retaining 10% for monitoring and potential reseeding over a three-year period.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates financial assurance for mining reclamation, ensuring environmental restoration funds are available to protect natural resources after operations end.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Arizona · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2029: water conservation grant fund; disclosure

HB 2029 creates a Water Conservation Grant Fund to support water-saving projects in Arizona. It allows eligible entities (like local governments or nonprofits partnering with them) to apply for grants for conservation programs (up to $3 million) or projects (up to $250,000), requiring a 25% match from other sources. Applicants must disclose projected water savings, the source of saved water (groundwater or surface water), and their plan for using the saved water. The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority must adopt implementing rules within 90 days of the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded grant program for water conservation, allocating budget resources to support conservation initiatives.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates grant fund for water conservation projects requiring disclosure of water savings and usage plans, directly advancing environmental conservation efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment