Committee advances bill funding Sierra Vista reentry site, approves strike-everything amendment

Senate Bill 10-58, as amended, would appropriate state monies to support a proposed spaceport reentry site near Sierra Vista and Fort Huachuca. The committee adopted a strike‑everything amendment and returned the bill with a due‑pass recommendation.

The amendment “appropriates monies from the state general fund to the city of Sierra Vista as follows. 1,500,000.0 in fiscal year 20 26 to attain a license to operate a reentry site through the Federal Aviation Administration and 4,000,000 in each of fiscal years 20 26 and 20 27 for wastewater infrastructure to develop a spaceport reentry site,” staff member Blanca told the committee.

Mayor Cleo Bacotte of Sierra Vista told the committee the city’s airport and relationship with Fort Huachuca make the site suitable. “We have the longest air runway in Arizona. 12,001 feet. Service is unique airspace. We have restricted airspace because of Fort Huachuca, because of the critical missions there,” the mayor said, adding that the arrangement would allow reentry operations without competing with launch locations.

Committee members pressed city leaders on environmental and infrastructure questions. Representative Sal Hamilton asked specifically about wastewater and potential effects on the San Pedro River. Mayor Bacotte replied, “This will not, affect the San Pedro River in no no way. San Pedro River is a critical is is critical for, wildlife as well as critical for, our constituents living down by the San Pedro, our constituents. But this will have no effect, guaranteed no effect on the San Pedro River. We will not use ground water.”

Bacotte also said Sierra Vista has signed a letter of intent with Blackstar Orbital and that the company intends to locate operations at the airport; she said the CEO had bought a house locally and the company was “forecasting about 50 jobs.” Committee members and the mayor discussed Sierra Vista’s water‑conservation record and planned wastewater expansion as part of that infrastructure conversation.

The committee adopted the strike‑everything amendment dated 03/25/2025 and then voted to return SB 10‑58 with a due‑pass recommendation. The chair announced the result as five ayes, two nays, one present and one absent; the roll call recorded Aye votes from Representatives Lopez, Griffin, Martinez, Vice Chair Peña and Chairman Diaz; Nay votes from Representatives Pashlikai and Stahl Hamilton; and Representative Keshe as Present.

The bill will move next in the legislative process as provided under chamber rules; committee members noted the appropriation places the project in budget discussions.

Ending: The committee’s action advances the Sierra Vista reentry site proposal to subsequent consideration; the bill now proceeds according to the Senate calendar.