HB 2494 Arizona House · 57th Legislature - Second Regular Session

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.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status failed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Last action Jun 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Engrossed Version (02/25/2026) → Senate Engrossed Version (06/10/2026) · 5 edits · Feb 25, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand its scope from county zoning to broader land use regulation and added a new section regarding watercourse master plans. A significant change involves adding air quality and decommissioning requirements for thermal and nonthermal electric generating units, while also modifying the rules for environmental compatibility certificates for nonthermal units based on county population and land ownership type. Additionally, new provisions were added to require notification of aggregate mining committees during watercourse planning and to include recharge techniques in flood management plans.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded from solely county zoning to include land use regulation, and a new section was added concerning watercourse master plans and floodplain management.

REQUIREMENT

Added mandatory compliance with air quality standards, decommissioning, site restoration, financial assurance, and liability insurance for thermal and nonthermal electric generating units.

Added a new section requiring watercourse master plans to notify aggregate mining recommendation committees and consider specific recharge techniques like gabions and swales.

Added requirements for counties to cover the cost of relocating nonconforming outdoor advertising structures.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified eligibility for voluntary environmental compatibility certificates for nonthermal electric generating units to depend on county population size (400k-600k) or specific conditions regarding former state lands.

DEFINITION

Added definitions and regulations for sewage treatment facilities to be subject to the chapter's land use restrictions.

Floor votes · House Feb 25, 2026

How they voted

31–22

Passed · 7 other

Total votes 60

Feb 25, 2026

D Democratic27

22 Nay 5

81% Nay

R Republican33

31 Yea 2

93% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

DPA

upper

Mar 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

Feb 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

lower

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors