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View in browser Print Version Legislative Bulletin: Issue 4 – February 9, 2026 Legislative Update: Welcome to the fifth week of the session. To date, 1,875 bills and 139 memorials and resolutions have been introduced. Today marks the House bill introduction deadline. Primary Election Fix On Friday, February 6, Governor Hobbs signed HB 2022: elections; July primary; curing; observers (Kolodin), a bipartisan elections bill that permanently moves Arizona’s statewide primary election from the first Tuesday in August to the second-to-last Tuesday in July, beginning in 2026. The change is effective immediately through an emergency clause, meaning the 2026 primary will be held on July 21. Lawmakers cited ongoing challenges with election administration timelines under the August primary date. Supporters of the legislation pointed to federal requirements that ballots be sent to military and overseas voters at least 45 daysbefore a federal election, noting that the August primary created risk if recounts or delayed certifications occurred. In addition to shifting the primary date, HB 2022 shortens certain ballot curing deadlines, clarifies party observer access at ballot replacement locations and voting centers, and validates nomination petitions circulated using the previously published August primary date. The new timeline will require candidates, election officials, and voters to adjust to an earlier summer primary going forward. State and county election officials are expected to conduct outreach ahead of the 2026 cycle to ensure awareness of the new election calendar. Upcoming Hearings HB 2375: housing; zoning; historic neighborhoods (Gress) House Committee on Government Exempts historic neighborhoods from the requirement that municipalities authorize middle housing development. Position: SUPPORT Hearing: February 11, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in HHR 5 HB 2793: annexation of territory; procedures (Carbone) House Committee on Government Allows a city or town to publish annexation hearing notices electronically and to reduce posting requirements for a proposed annexation consisting of a single parcel of not more than 160 acres. Authorizes a city or town to waive the 30-day waiting period and public hearing and to complete annexation immediately by ordinance when the annexation consists of 100 percent of the property owned by the initiating property owner. Position: SUPPORT Hearing: February 11, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in HHR 5 HB 4030/HCR 2052: rates; fees; taxes; increase; moratorium (Olson) House Committee on Ways & Means Prohibits counties and municipalities, from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030, from increasing fees, transaction privilege tax rates, surcharges, or municipally provided utility rates above amounts authorized in the FY2025-26 budget and from adopting new tax classifications or expanding the tax base, subject to limited voter-approved exceptions. Prohibits municipalities from circumventing the moratorium by renaming or restructuring charges, altering methodologies, or imposing substantially similar new charges, and voids any fee, tax, or rate adopted in violation of these limits. Repeals these moratoriums July 1, 2030. The bill also has a companion ballot referral that, if passed by the legislature, will be submitted to the voters at the 2026 general election. Position: OPPOSED Hearing: February 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in HHR 3 Session Deadlines Every session has deadlines pertaining to bill submissions and hearings. These are established by Senate and House rule and are subject to change. This year’s schedule is as follows: February Monday 2/9: House Bill Introduction Deadline Friday 2/20: Last day for consideration of bills in chamber of origin March Friday 3/27: Last day for consideration of bills in opposite chamber SB 1090: S/E municipal tax; food; exemption (Finchem) Senate Committee on Finance The strike-everything amendment to S.B. 1090 would prohibit cities, towns, and other local taxing jurisdictions in Arizona from imposing a transaction privilege tax (TPT) or similar tax on food and other items that are eligible for purchase with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits, regardless of whether the purchaser is actually using SNAP or WIC benefits at the time of sale. The change replaces current language that only bars local TPT on food purchased using SNAP/WIC benefits with a broader ban based on eligibility for those programs, could affect municipal tax collections, applies retroactively to taxable periods beginning after the general effective date, and includes technical updates. Position: OPPOSED Hearing: February 09, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in SHR 1 SB 1431: municipalities; planned communities; design; prohibition (Bolick) Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs & Government Efficiency Prohibits a municipality from requiring the creation of a homeowners’ association, shared amenities, gated access, or other perimeter enclosures as a condition of a subdivision or development, except as required by federal law. Prohibits a municipality from adopting or enforcing design, architectural, or aesthetic requirements for single-family homes or accessory dwelling units, including requirements related to materials, colors, façades, layouts, garages, fences, or similar features. Prohibits a municipality from denying or conditioning a permit based on prohibited design requirements, Preserves the applicability of building codes, fire codes, public health and safety regulations, minimum parking requirements, and dark sky ordinances. Position: OPPOSED Hearing: February 11, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in SHR 109 April Friday 4/17: Last day for consideration of bills in conference committee Tuesday 4/21: 100th Day of Session Legislative Staff You may contact our legislative division by phone at (602) 258-5786 or by e- mail using the following information: Tom Savage, Legislative Director: tsavage@azleague.org Marshall Pimentel, Senior Legislative Associate: mpimentel@azleague.org Megan Didur, Legislative Associate: mdidur@azleague.org Nicholas Medel, Legislative Intern: nmedel@azleague.org #Keepup with us on X. Keep up with the issues and events. CLICK HERE What the League is Tracking Stay informed about legislation that affects municipalities throughout the state. Track proposed bills and resolutions, stay updated on their progress, and actively engage in the democratic process. Here are some priority measures the League is tracking: Legislative Bill Monitoring League of Arizona Cities and Towns 1820 W Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007 info@azleague.org No longer want to receive these emails? Unsubscribe.