Environment

passed both · Arizona · House Apr 21, 2026

HCM 2009: subsurface minerals; access; federal policy

HCM 2009 is a memorial from Arizona's legislature requesting the federal government to address barriers to accessing subsurface minerals (like copper) under federal land withdrawals, such as national monuments in Arizona. It asks Congress to amend the Antiquities Act to require state consent for new monuments, compensate Arizona for inaccessible mineral rights, and streamline mining permits. The memorial also seeks to rescind specific federal regulations (43 CFR 3809) that Arizona claims incorrectly treat patented surface lands as public lands, complicating mineral exploration. This would primarily affect Arizona's state land department and private mineral exploration companies by reducing regulatory hurdles to develop critical minerals.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRequests deregulation of mining access on federal lands by amending Antiquities Act and rescinding regulations, prioritizing mineral extraction over environmental protections.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed both · Arizona · House Apr 20, 2026

HCM 2006: endangered species act; urging reform

This Arizona legislative memorial (HCM 2006) urges federal agencies and Congress to reform the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Migratory Bird Conservation Act. It requests that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Forest Service reduce regulatory burdens on ranchers and prevent lease cancellations on federally managed grazing lands due to ESA implementation. The memorial specifically cites concerns about ranchers being unfairly evicted from grazing lands and seeks to align federal policy with "long-standing agricultural practices" in Arizona. As a non-binding memorial, it does not directly change laws but formally requests federal action to address these specific impacts on rural ranching communities.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill explicitly urges reform to reduce ESA regulatory burdens on ranchers and prevent lease cancellations due to ESA implementation, directly weakening environmental protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed both · Arizona · House Apr 20, 2026

HCM 2011: Mexican wolf; delist; urging support

This Arizona state memorial (HCM 2011) urges Congress to delist the Mexican wolf from the federal endangered species list. It claims the wolf population has exceeded recovery goals since 2014 (286 wild wolves in 2024) and no longer requires ESA protections. The memorial specifically requests Congress pass H.R. 4255 to remove the wolf from the list, defund the federal reintroduction project, transfer management to states, and ensure full compensation for ranchers' livestock losses. It does not create new law but advocates for policy changes to end federal management of the species.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentUrges delisting Mexican wolf from ESA, defunding federal protections, and transferring management to states - directly weakens endangered species conservation under the Endangered Species Act.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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signed · Arizona · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 1503: public pensions; proxy voting

SB 1503 requires Arizona public pension funds to vote shares solely in the economic interest of plan participants and beneficiaries, directly affecting state-run pension managers and proxy advisory firms. It mandates that if a pension fund votes against a company's board recommendation (with majority independent directors), it must provide a documented economic analysis proving the vote aligns with financial goals, not environmental or ideological aims. Funds must annually report such votes and analyses to the state treasurer and back-test their economic models every three years to ensure accuracy. The bill prohibits using votes to advance non-financial goals unless an economic analysis confirms financial benefits, with strict certification requirements for all documentation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires economic analysis for pension votes, promoting fiscal responsibility in state fund management per bill's mandate to align with financial goals over ideology.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill explicitly prohibits pension funds from considering environmental factors in voting decisions, restricting environmental considerations from influencing investment choices.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

vetoed · Arizona · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2787: federal nullification; Mexican wolf; reintroduction

HB 2787 prohibits Arizona state agencies, employees, and political subdivisions from using state resources to enforce, administer, or cooperate with the federal Mexican wolf reintroduction program under the Endangered Species Act. It directly affects state government operations by banning state involvement in the wolf program, though it exempts the existing livestock loss program managed by the Livestock Loss Board. The bill does not change federal law but aims to limit state-level support for the program, which the legislature claims has exceeded population goals since 2014 and causes economic harm to ranchers. The bill focuses on state authority over resource use, not altering the federal program itself.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBlocks state support for federal Mexican wolf reintroduction under ESA, directly restricting endangered species conservation efforts and weakening environmental protection initiatives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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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

signed · Arizona · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2117: natural resource conservation board; fund

HB 2117 redirects $17 of the $25 annual fee for Arizona's environmental special license plates into a dedicated fund. The state natural resource conservation board will distribute $5,000 to $10,000 annually to each natural resource conservation district with an established education center. These funds must support environmental education programs that are scientifically based and address economic and social implications. The bill specifies that funds are exclusively for conservation education programs at local districts, without changing the plate fee structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects $17 of license plate fee into dedicated fund for conservation education programs, advancing fiscal allocation for environmental education within budget framework.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects $17 annual fee to fund environmental education programs at conservation districts with specific requirements for scientifically-based curriculum.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects $17 of license plate fees to conservation education fund, mandating scientifically based environmental programs addressing conservation. Explicitly funds conservation efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

failed · Arizona · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 2795: small modular reactors; zoning; approval

HB 2795 modifies Arizona law to allow small modular reactor (SMR) construction and operation by preventing local governments from restricting these projects under specific conditions. It requires SMR developers to obtain federal early site permits and design certifications, then submit proof of these to the county board of supervisors before local zoning rules can be overridden. This directly affects SMR developers and Arizona counties, ensuring federal approvals supersede local zoning for eligible projects. The law does not alter federal requirements but clarifies that counties cannot block SMR sites once the federal steps are completed and documented.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enables SMR construction by overriding local zoning restrictions, advancing nuclear energy infrastructure as a low-carbon energy solution.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnables SMR development, a low-carbon energy source, facilitating clean energy deployment per bill's zoning override for federal-approved projects.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 26, 2026

SB 1176: stormwater storage; replenishment credits

SB 1176 creates a system for earning "replenishment credits" by storing stormwater in specially permitted underground facilities within the Phoenix Active Management Area. It allows entities (referred to as "storer") to recharge stormwater, with the director crediting 95% of the volume stored annually toward offsetting future groundwater use obligations. These credits can be used within two miles of the storage site to offset groundwater withdrawals or transferred to eligible entities within the same groundwater subbasin. The bill formalizes this credit mechanism under Arizona Revised Statutes sections 45-837.01 and 45-831.01, directly affecting water users and developers managing stormwater in Phoenix-area aquifers.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes groundwater conservation by incentivizing stormwater storage to offset withdrawals, directly conserving a natural resource and enhancing water management.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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