EDF Action Supports Governor Hobbs' Veto of Arizona Senate Bill 1172

PHOENIX, AZ, June 19, 2024 — EDF Action’s Senior Water Program Manager Chris Kuzdas issued the following statement in support of Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs’ Veto of Senate Bill 1172:

“EDF Action appreciates the Governor’s veto of Senate Bill 1172 — a hastily developed bill that creates a dangerous exemption to our state’s Assured Water Supply Program and puts future homebuyers at risk of not having access to water. The legislation has not been appropriately modeled to assure the intended outcomes are achieved, and initial analysis of SB1172 shows the proposed policy poses significant risks to homebuyers in some areas. 

It is imperative that we ensure — before enacting any such policy — that hardworking Arizonans who are pouring their life savings into their homes have a sustained water source that protects their investment. The whole purpose of the Assured Water Supply Program in Arizona is to provide these protections to homebuyers. 

We believe that with collaborative work and robust analyses moving forward, the issues with SB1172 can be addressed. We hope to support a future version of this bill that upholds long-standing consumer protections that have been the bedrock of economic prosperity and water security in the state’s Active Management Areas for decades. It’s also long past time to pass policy solutions to Arizona’s rural groundwater challenges. Rural communities have been pleading for solutions for too long. Rural Arizona can no longer be left behind. 

Although the legislature concluded their regular session just days ago, we urge the Legislature and Governor’s Office to continue working with stakeholders on bipartisan solutions to our state’s water challenges — for all Arizonans, no matter where they live, for generations to come. Historic solutions are within reach for both urban and rural Arizona, we cannot give up. 

We applaud Governor Hobbs for her bold stance on water since taking office. Her veto of Senate Bill 1172 affirms her commitment to developing responsible solutions to our state’s water challenges, for all communities.”