[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6110283,"mediaKeyId","2758295-98ace0f48b5d969a3d2a042e2832c4a5","parentId",2758295,"title","Committee advances bill limiting state‑land restrictions on biosolids; agencies and county officials seek clarifications","audioSeconds",2116,"startMs",3628000,"endMs",5744000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2758295-98ace0f48b5d969a3d2a042e2832c4a5&start=3628&end=5744","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2758295-98ace0f48b5d969a3d2a042e2832c4a5/thumbnail_3628000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6110283/Arizona/Committee-advances-bill-limiting-stateland-restrictions-on-biosolids-agencies-and-county-officials-seek-clarifications","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110283-15229415e0e846ebcc9b0ce582f76af0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140864&Signature=L0advE3fuvB211XtCjuiqOjhpS8eyvqja8zOjYivcD1Evfph8mnrl01a6tay1XHCZI5UJ3DpeLwqUoG4BjQW-qYxCTjv-3Eo7QG48vj2mgwliHyqeDRtc2RfnILgU4-7KiTbcX~a4ZMZnkfZ-Pj4UzP1JKfUyzk7Z8VukGMxkDTUmF6krXtS4j9mkSVj4wRXgv9NZnR~ApJddwZkfSAQBEdhFXhHJmdpXir6hlbiG-hJU-RoA5orvJVOIsL8cSEBOVC5~0rBib5avMssXb6WN-DDclE3CK61FtnmBDHuI0JahsJhFoX9c1QaaUDqdzpVcYiAcEDSG56acTcad4tQhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arizona Legislature","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 12‑12 — which would require the director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to adopt rules for the application of biosolids to agricultural lands and contains language that, as presented in committee, made fertilizing state lands with biosolids presumptively reasonable — drew extended testimony and substantive questions about public health, regulatory authority and local impacts.

Sponsor Senator Tim Dunn described the bill as an effort to clarify how biosolids (sewage sludge) are managed on state trust lands and to reconcile ADEQ water and air roles with state land administration. Dunn said the goal is “to get something done that we can move the regulation forward” while protecting property‑lease rights and addressing local concerns.

Speakers at the committee included residents, conservation advocates and growers. Kristen Brady — who identified herself as “a concerned Arizonan” — urged a “no” vote, warning that biosolids “are sewage sludge” and pointing to studies that have found thousands of chemicals, including PFAS, in biosolids and soils where they were applied. Brady said the bill’s language that makes biosolids use on state land “presumptively reasonable” could make it harder for people harmed by contamination to seek redress.

Sierra Club testimony raised similar concerns about PFAS, pathogens and other contaminants, and urged caution because of potential long‑term contamination of soils and watersheds. County representatives said supervisors had received public complaints about odors and insect impacts and asked for clearer oversight and enforcement mechanisms.

Growers and a long‑time biosolids operator, Mike Gardner of AgTech Farm in Yuma, said biosolids are a long‑standing agricultural input and contended the practice is safe when managed under EPA and state rules. Gardner said the EPA and University of Arizona studies support the agricultural use of biosolids and that current permits are subject to annual reviews and surprise inspections. He added that biosolids can be a productive route to recycle organic matter and improve soil health while reducing water use on some sandy soils.

ADEQ representative Krista Osterberg told the committee ADEQ was neutral and working with the sponsor on amendment language. ADEQ staff noted the bill’s current text would create air‑quality rulemaking duties that include water‑quality topics already regulated elsewhere, and recommended reconciling air and water authority and making sure ADEQ has clear authority and standards before assigning new enforcement duties. County representatives asked for an additional full‑time position to oversee accountability and enforcement if state land application expands.

The committee adopted the bill with a due‑pass recommendation; committee members recorded a vote of 5 ayes, 3 nays and one present. Several members said they were voting with reservations and sought amendments to clarify immunity language, operational controls for dust and vectors, and whether ADEQ has adequate statutory authority and staffing to enforce new requirements.

The bill as drafted directs ADEQ role‑setting for biosolids application and would change how state trust land leases are treated with respect to biosolids; the record shows stakeholders expect follow‑up amendments to clarify enforcement, immunity and oversight.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03/24/2025 - House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 12‑12, which would require ADEQ to adopt rules governing biosolids application to agricultural land and includes a presumption favoring biosolids use on state trust lands, advanced from committee after extended testimony and requests for clarifying amendments.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Arizona, Arizona","taxId",78572,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6110288,"Committee OKs $20 million for agriculture water‑innovation pilot and on‑farm efficiency fund",656,2387000,3043000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2758295-98ace0f48b5d969a3d2a042e2832c4a5&start=2387&end=3043","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2758295-98ace0f48b5d969a3d2a042e2832c4a5/thumbnail_2387000.jpg","/articles/6110288/Arizona/Committee-OKs-20-million-for-agriculture-waterinnovation-pilot-and-onfarm-efficiency-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110288-a04fe6244a8651bad2c69f0c2ebe6be3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140864&Signature=G9axfPfAFqUcxmrU4mCW4A-58yA9cGVCnNKJnaQUQTXD96uT6BEZfWwzpL6YemqIdy4XfJWGaPzWoz51y3d9tU3k5fnA-qw0bKsO30S0tpOtFQ1JUGD36TAjCpRbOG5qhNoQ~KjwCUR~LOjOfkpIXKF9UrCYy7yegKU4oKnRh2kJL88Qf45xEwtiJYxX4cjH4iiT-ognFfcjVVCy20mpy0xJOZ1Sxpu484P8gJGn3oQdN~WlwI7Gc4Lig1J174y~2C4Fl59ALCCvQPa47cmQ7dblhwFUVUmkylWadIjcgGuwFeN3xhsNJyndC-GKkvgfUVS8KwGEEBRLW8xGMsbXWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee adopted a strike‑everything amendment to Senate Bill 17‑09 and voted to return the measure with a do‑pass recommendation. The amendment establishes an Agriculture and Water Innovation Fund pilot to provide grants and collect data on water‑focused agricultural innovations, and allocates $10 million to the pilot and another $10 million to an on‑farm irrigation efficiency fund from the state lottery fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

A sponsor explained the amendment as a vehicle to help farmers test practices that improve soil health and conserve water. Laura Magnus, speaking in support on behalf of a landowner coalition, said the pilot is “designed to derisk the farmers in order to allow them to have access to some of these technologies and advancements that can help us reduce the water use and improve soil health.”

Dane Hague, co‑founder and CEO of MyLane Company, described a soil‑microbiome approach his company uses on Arizona farms, including on‑farm sampling and lab work to select native microalgae that the company says can improve soil structure and reduce irrigation needs. Hague told the committee live biologics and on‑farm testing can assist growers in conserving water while improving yields.

Committee members raised some fiscal and oversight questions but ultimately passed the amendment and the bill by voice and roll call. The committee recorded a 7–2 vote in favor of returning the bill with a do‑pass recommendation.

The amendment frames the pilot as technology‑agnostic and seeks to fund grants that collect data on practices that conserve water and improve soil health for Arizona agriculture.","A strike‑everything amendment to Senate Bill 17‑09 created an Agriculture and Water Innovation Fund pilot and an on‑farm irrigation efficiency fund and appropriated $10 million to each from the state lottery fund for FY2026 and FY2027; the committee returned the amended bill with a do‑pass recommendation, 7–2.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6110290,"Committee backs $6.5 million pilot for fire incident management software",856,1432000,2288000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2758295-98ace0f48b5d969a3d2a042e2832c4a5&start=1432&end=2288","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2758295-98ace0f48b5d969a3d2a042e2832c4a5/thumbnail_1432000.jpg","/articles/6110290/Arizona/Committee-backs-65-million-pilot-for-fire-incident-management-software","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110290-555967bf2e0cd098785b8a1671cd938e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140864&Signature=iynpb0wC6lBNrBGcXtPnJy6sXwWp-tM16S-tXkdgQ~TKdLZF5QEgJJCHHXmLC0h096fQEhfnZGknbLQuBhgbVAv6dmYwIMDA0jWLJDz31XEI0JgnJwVNLuL3yix2PJ29TQMsBhMvVi37AloEPS6vXwnOwMiOfDlgrsV5ATKg4ClbtBJuttk9fklgvztjGPQtTmo6h4w0ptsGhwTLmjU1dd2~L52RkqUl~ISAs6c7v10oBrSEPtVg5BEmaCiH~4IYkqa0cCzumI-GOZ9pKoodGsesjzuuoK~CO3Ek7bEC0YA4jjc7dd5VFEdPPZwBE~ZR5kX4ZIDU-lYW3zEeZiznog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs voted to return Senate Bill 12‑97 with a do‑pass recommendation, advancing a bill that would appropriate $6.5 million from the state general fund in FY2026 to the Arizona Department of Administration for a Fire Incident Management Grant Program.

Research intern Sam Robinson told the committee that the bill “appropriates $6,500,000 from the state general fund fiscal year '26 to the Arizona Department of Administration for a Fire Incident Management Grant Program” and outlines the program’s administration and eligible applicants.

Sponsor testimony and multiple chiefs described the software’s expected operational benefits. Mike Williams, the House sponsor’s representative in committee, said the program will provide “fire incident management software to allow the firefighters to see where everybody’s at and get instantaneous command.” He said the sponsor is working with appropriations to phase the funding over three years so departments can use the system and transition to recurring costs if needed.

Deputy Chief Louis Jones of the Guadalupe Fire Department and Deputy Chief Eric Kepler of Glendale described accountability, real‑time information sharing from drones and dispatch, and improved interoperability between agencies as primary benefits. Jones said GPS and mapping improvements “drastically reduced our response time” when similar technologies were earlier introduced.

Committee members asked whether subscriptions and ongoing operating costs were covered; Williams said the appropriation funds a three‑year program and does not include subscription funding beyond that term, although the sponsor said he would return to request continued support for smaller jurisdictions if the pilot demonstrates benefit.

After testimony and questions, the committee voted 6–3 to return the bill with a do‑pass recommendation.

The bill includes conditions for audit and reversion of funds if the software is not implemented within a year, and gives ADOA authority to review bids and audits of recipients as part of program oversight.","Senate Bill 12‑97 would appropriate $6.5 million to the Arizona Department of Administration for a three‑year Fire Incident Management Grant Program providing incident management software to fire agencies; the committee approved the bill after testimony from multiple fire chiefs and a 6–3 vote.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6110296,"Committee advances bill setting rules for wind farms on state and federal lands",1339,28000,1367000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2758295-98ace0f48b5d969a3d2a042e2832c4a5&start=28&end=1367","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2758295-98ace0f48b5d969a3d2a042e2832c4a5/thumbnail_28000.jpg","/articles/6110296/Arizona/Committee-advances-bill-setting-rules-for-wind-farms-on-state-and-federal-lands","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110296-52ea8f735ec5accb6d66ce0d6e5ca490/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140864&Signature=kXGixz8AeqW5FidYvJ9JyxTomVYrsOR2b8ln7SMJz8XUTc1X9Xx9C0PcGrDfXfpuYBFFGTiiwoQL8WpPO-HJRWm5t9ilgUMbjQmTXTMIKLTKmkCUcZLt6KwMZOOwYviWNscA5T8h0ZB4UVHRaL2fR85u3Vppwxfq1I7BDQhrlkKmkvhinnRVRjvGFW4VAIoDtJ5VXVhTXbo9JaOTTcB7f8V7yijGlbjQnz7SsuOlSmzvxoabn~HFEsGw8i-j-9NIeuv9uToRE5oJbUgkZkA3I3AV3bJl~obthxRv82VoxPeTqi9MZBCyOuqKtcBzTnAaPpjaU6BWu6xO4W4MTXoABA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs voted to send Senate Bill 11‑50 to the full legislature with a “do pass” recommendation after adopting a strike‑everything amendment and a verbal clarification that the measure applies to state or federal land.

The amendment, explained by Corbin Wright, a research analyst, “establishes requirements to approve, permit, construct, and operate a wind farm on public lands,” and adds requirements for county planning and zoning commissions, permit applicants and for the Corporation Commission’s power plant and transmission line siting committee when it grants certificates of environmental compatibility.

Sponsor Representative Dave Marshall said the revised language focuses the bill on public lands and reduces conflicts with private property rights. “This bill does not eliminate wind farms from coming in the state of Arizona,” Marshall said, adding the bill puts “guardrails of what their responsibility is once it is up.” Marshall pointed to a requirement that operators fund decommissioning and remediation, and said the amendment creates an account with $20,000,000 to pay for removal of retired turbines.

Public testimony was split. Sandy Barr, director of the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter, said the measure would “impede the development of wind farms” because of requirements such as surety bonds and a prohibited construction setback (previously described as six miles) that she said would functionally limit siting. Barr urged the committee to reject the strike‑everything amendment.

Ranching interests told the committee changes in the amendment addressed private property concerns. Patrick Bray of Arizona Farm and Ranch Group said a forthcoming voice amendment (later offered in committee) and stakeholder work helped move the bill in the right direction for local landowners.

Krista Osterberg of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality said ADEQ was neutral on the bill but flagged an enforcement question: the bill assigns ADEQ responsibility to enforce decommissioning and cleanup but does not yet clarify the regulatory standards or whether ADEQ has the authorities or resources to carry out that role.

After adopting a verbal amendment to clarify the bill applies to “State or Federal land,” and approving the strike‑everything amendment, the committee voted 6–3 to return the bill with a do‑pass recommendation.

The bill as amended adds county hearing and permitting requirements, requires wind‑farm owners to provide financial assurances for decommissioning and assigns ADEQ enforcement responsibility for cleanup and removal when wind farms are retired. The measure contains a retroactive date of Jan. 1, 2025.","The committee approved a revised version of Senate Bill 11‑50 that adds permitting, decommissioning and county hearing requirements for wind farms on state or federal lands and assigns decommissioning enforcement to ADEQ; the measure passed out of committee after amendments and a 6–3 vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances bill limiting state‑land restrictions on biosolids; agencies and county officials seek clarifications

Committee OKs $20 million for agriculture water‑innovation pilot and on‑farm efficiency fund

Committee backs $6.5 million pilot for fire incident management software

Committee advances bill setting rules for wind farms on state and federal lands