The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors on a pair of votes on Wednesday approved several items for the county’s proposed 2026 legislative package, but a proposal to exempt single-user bathtub-style cold-plunge devices from local regulation drew concern and a lone no vote.

In separate motions, the board first approved county legislative priorities for air quality, the Flood Control District, and the Office of the Medical Examiner. That package — which included a proposal to allow voluntary emission-offset permits for non-stationary sources and a request to engage on legislation allowing flood control districts to receive groundwater recharge credits — passed unanimously.

Later, the board voted to approve the Environmental Services Department’s legislative proposals, which included a request to exempt certain single-user, above-ground cold-plunge tubs from existing spa/pool regulations modeled on a Utah approach, while retaining signage and basic disinfection expectations. That motion carried 4–1, with Supervisor Lesko casting the no vote and explaining she believes reuse of water should remain regulated.

Government-relations staff described the air-quality proposal as an expansion of a prior bill to allow creation of voluntary emissions-reduction credits for non-stationary sources (so businesses could generate credits to offset emissions for a relocating or expanding large source). Flood-control staff said the county seeks to engage on bills that would allow flood control districts to receive credit for groundwater recharged through infrastructure projects, a change proponents say could support affordable housing and water management strategies.

Environmental Services Director Andy Linton and subcommittee members briefed the board on the cold-plunge question, telling supervisors that current county rules treat spas (hot or cold) as regulated and that some single-user devices exist that are more like a residential bathtub. The department said it would prefer allowing an exemption for single-user, above-ground cold-plunge tubs with signage and minimal disinfecting requirements rather than forcing hundreds of small businesses to upgrade to commercial-grade pool systems. Staff said that if an exempt device became the subject of a public-health complaint, the county could still investigate and take action.

Supervisors questioned whether exemption without routine enforcement would create public-health gaps. Supporters said the proposed change would be modeled on other states’ approaches, that ADEQ has been involved in conversations, and that the board’s approval would allow further engagement at the County Supervisors Association (CSA) level and with legislators. Board members noted language and details are still to be drafted and that staff would return if the board sought changes.

The meeting record shows the board authorized staff to pursue the listed legislative items and to continue conversations with CSA and the legislature. The county manager advised the board that items could be voted on separately (for example, removing the cold-plunge proposal from the environmental services package) if supervisors wished to do so.