State legislative updates were presented to the Prescott Valley Town Council on Aug. 28 by a state representative and by lobbyists from Triadvocates. The speakers summarized bills passed during the 2025 session, actions affecting public safety and local infrastructure, and items the town should monitor for the 2026 session.

Why it matters: Several items discussed either delivered funding to Prescott Valley or could affect local planning and budgets. The delegation and Triadvocates flagged legislation that may return in 2026 (water policy, state low-income housing tax credits) and explained local impacts of bills that passed this year.

Representative remarks and local appropriations: The presenter said Representative Selena Bliss sponsored 56 bills, with 13 signed into law, and highlighted local appropriations the delegation secured: $1 million for a public safety substation in southwest Yavapai County, $1 million for road improvements in Cottonwood, and $500,000 for Prescott (territorial governor reference). The speaker also described budget items for law-enforcement and public-safety pay and equipment, including a 5 percent raise for state law enforcement and firefighters, funding for highway-patrol vehicle modernization, and allocations for counterterrorism and Department of Public Safety facilities.

Triadvocates overview and state policy: Julie Reese and a colleague, Roxanna, of Triadvocates summarized session statistics and statewide trends: a 166-day session that adjourned June 27; divided government producing compromise budgets; and ongoing debates over housing policy, including the possible sunsetting of Arizona’s state low-income housing tax credit in December and continued discussion about school funding referrals. They also described a recent state-level compromise preserving communities’ existing food-tax authority while proposing a November ballot question for other communities to seek such a tax by voter approval.

Discussion vs. decision: The presentation was informational. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about specific local impacts and thanked the delegation and Triadvocates for advocacy; no formal council action followed the briefing.

Next steps: Staff and Triadvocates plan continued outreach on water legislation, housing tax-credit developments, and federal funding impacts that could affect local budgets and projects; the presenters said they will return for further briefings and encouraged council and staff engagement ahead of the 2026 session.