small modular reactors; manufacturing; zoning

HB 2493 amends Arizona's zoning laws to specifically protect land use for small modular reactor (SMR) manufacturing facilities, preventing local governments from restricting such facilities on five or more contiguous commercial acres. The bill's primary focus, however, is establishing new zoning districts for aggregate mining operations, requiring counties to create designated zones for mining activities with specific standards for dust control, noise, and land reclamation. It also creates recommendation committees composed of mining operators and local residents to advise county boards on mining zoning regulations. The bill directly affects counties, mining operators, and SMR manufacturers by limiting local regulatory authority over these specific land uses. (Note: The bill's title mentions SMRs, but the core provisions primarily address aggregate mining zoning.)