Extracted text (via pymupdf)
7020 characters
View in browser Print Version Legislative Update: Welcome to the third week of the legislative session. To date, 1,325 bills have been introduced along with 86 resolutions or memorials. . Executive Budget Hearing On Tuesday, January 20, Ben Henderson, Director of the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting, presented Governor Katie Hobbs’ FY27 Executive Budget to a joint hearing of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Republican lawmakers sharply questioned the administration’s revenue assumptions, pointing to a cumulative difference in FY 26 – 29 of more than $500 million between the Governor’s projections and those adopted by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee over the next several fiscal years. The Executive Budget proposes eliminating the Computer Data Center Program tax incentives enacted in 2013, with the administration arguing the incentives are no longer needed given Arizona’s position as the second-largest data center market globally. Republicans raised concerns about the lack of a grandfather clause for existing investments. The budget also establishes a Colorado River Protection Fund for water conservation, initially funded with a $30 million General Fund appropriation and supported by an ongoing $0.01-per-gallon water usage fee assessed on data centers. Another major point of contention was the budget’s reliance on approximately $760 million in federal reimbursement for border-related expenses, which Republicans expressed skepticism the state will fully receive. Despite broader disagreements, lawmakers from both parties expressed support for $24 million to fund correctional officer bonuses, preventing an estimated $2,000 pay reduction this year. Republican leadership indicated the Executive Budget is unlikely to advance in its current form, setting the stage for extended negotiations in the months ahead. Photo Radar On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Transportation and Technology approved SCR 1004: photo enforcement systems; prohibition on a 6–4 party-line vote. The measure would prohibit local governments from using photo enforcement systems to identify violations of speed limits or traffic control devices. If approved by the Legislature, the proposal would be referred to voters on the 2026 general election ballot, bypassing the Governor’s veto authority. Supporters of the measure argued that photo enforcement undermines due process and is driven more by revenue than public safety. Opponents counter that photo radar is an important public safety tool and that decisions about its use should remain local. League of Arizona Cities and Towns stands opposed to SCR 1004 due to concerns over erosion of local control and the removal of community choice. Upcoming Hearings This week, the League will continue to represent municipal interests and testify on important legislative measures. Be sure to check committee agendas for a link if you want to tune into a live stream or watch a recorded hearing. Here are some of the League’s upcoming priorities: SB 1054: municipal; county; measures; standing (Rogers) Senate Committee on Government Grants standing to any resident or business entity conducting business in this state to file a civil action challenging a county or municipal measure that includes an emergency clause. Position: OPPOSED Hearing: January 28, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in SHR 1 SB 1167: cities; towns; counties; posting; website (Angius) Senate Committee on Government Session Deadlines Allows municipalities and counties to satisfy statutory requirements for advertising, publishing, or printing notices by posting them on the entity’s official website. Requires the website to include a public notices link on the homepage that organizes all required notices by category. Exempts notices of proposed city or town charters from the website-only posting option. Position: SUPPORT Hearing: January 28, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in SHR 1 HB 2460: business property; theft; penalties; prohibition (Kupper) House Committee on Government Prohibits municipalities and counties from adopting or enforcing ordinances that penalize a business for the theft of the business’s movable property. Prohibits fines, fees, cost recovery requirements and compliance mandates imposed on a business when the underlying conduct results from theft of the business’s movable property. Authorizes municipalities and counties to notify businesses of the location of stolen property, pursue penalties against the perpetrator and enforce general nuisance ordinances that do not penalize the business for theft. Position: OPPOSED Hearing: January 28, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in HHR 5 SB 1216: traumatic event counseling (Payne) Senate Committee on Public Safety Expands eligibility for employer-paid traumatic event counseling to include crime scene technicians and digital forensics technicians as public safety employees. Eliminates the repeal date of January 1, 2027. Position: SUPPORT Hearing: January 28, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in SHR 109 HB 2317: traffic; vehicle laws; cities;prohibition (Aguilar) House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Prohibits local authorities from enacting or enforcing an ordinance or regulation that prohibits "cruising," defined as the repetitive driving of a motor vehicle past the same place without a destination or particular purpose within a specified time period. Position: OPPOSED Hearing: January 28, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in HHR 3 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 2/2: Senate Bill Introduction Deadline 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 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 Jarizbeth Caballero, Legislative Associate: jcaballero@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, League of Arizona Cities and Towns 1820 W Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007 info@azleague.org No longer want to receive these emails? Unsubscribe. and actively engage in the democratic process. Here are some priority measures the League is tracking: Legislative Bill Monitoring