Votes at a glance: Committee actions from the March 11, 2025 Senate Natural Resources hearing

The following bills and concurrent measures received formal committee action during the March 11, 2025 Senate Committee on Natural Resources hearing. Tallies below reflect recorded committee votes where available; all items were taken up by the committee the same day.

- House Bill 22‑32 (on‑site wastewater / general permit): Due‑pass recommendation. Tally recorded in committee: 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 not voting. The bill would require ADEQ to issue a general permit for specified septic tank effluent collection systems by 01/01/2026; proponents said the measure would streamline permitting for modern on‑site wastewater systems.

- Senate Bill 22‑69 (state mine inspector appropriation): Due‑pass recommendation. Tally recorded: 7 ayes, 0 nays. The bill appropriates $900,000 in FY2026 from the general fund to the state mine inspector for safety measures and database/software upgrades; the inspector testified the funds would replace aging FileMaker Pro and Access systems and enable mapping of active and abandoned mines.

- House Bill 22‑70 (ADWR stormwater recharge modeling): Due‑pass recommendation, 5 ayes, 3 nays. The bill would require ADWR to account for incidental and artificial stormwater recharge associated with development in AMA groundwater models. ADWR and municipal water providers raised concerns about methodological complexity and double‑counting.

- House Bill 25‑27 (restrictions on retirement of generation without replacement): Due‑pass recommendation, 5 ayes, 3 nays. The bill would prevent the Arizona Corporation Commission from approving retirement of an electric generation facility unless replacement firm power of equal or greater capacity is presently available on the grid; witnesses were sharply divided on impacts to reliability and renewables deployment.

- House Bill 25‑77 (native plant notification exemption for DFFM): Due‑pass recommendation, 7 ayes, 1 nay. The bill exempts the Department of Forestry and Fire Management from a 60‑day notice requirement under Arizona’s native plant law for certain wildfire suppression and fuels‑reduction activities when the state forester determines the work is necessary.

- House Bill 26‑03 (Game & Fish license revocation tied to deferred prosecution): Due‑pass recommendation as amended. Tally recorded: 8 ayes, 0 nays. Committee adopted an amendment (Dunn) expanding revocation periods and allowing permanent revocation for a third final disposition; the bill allows the Game and Fish Commission to suspend or revoke licenses tied to deferred prosecution agreements and certain egregious wildlife violations.

- House Bill 26‑38 (On‑farm irrigation efficiency pilot extension): Due‑pass recommendation (unanimous voice vote). The bill extends the pilot program to Jan. 1, 2030.

- House Bill 27‑37 (WIFA water supply development definition changes): Due‑pass recommendation. Tally recorded: 6 ayes, 1 no, 1 not voting. The bill would modify WIFA’s definition of water supply development to include planning, design and facilities reasonably necessary for water projects that may import water.

- House Bill 27‑74 (small modular nuclear reactor siting with large industrial users): Due‑pass recommendation, 5 ayes, 3 nays. The bill would allow certain SMR siting or replacement of thermal units without a CEC when collocated with large industrial energy users in counties below a population threshold; counties and environmental groups urged preserving local planning and full environmental review.

- House Concurrent Memorial 2008 (seek EPA Region 9 satellite office in Phoenix): Due‑pass recommendation, 5 ayes, 2 nays. The memorial urges the president and EPA administrator to consider establishing a Region 9 satellite office in Phoenix to address regional administrative concerns.

- House Concurrent Memorial 2003 (support for groundwater recharge infrastructure investments and WIFA): Due‑pass recommendation, recorded as 4 ayes, 2 nays, 2 not voting. The memorial urges ADWR and the State Land Department to prioritize recharge projects and consider modeled increases in groundwater supply from proactive recharge projects.

- House Concurrent Memorial 2010 (petition to Congress/EPA re: ozone standard): Due‑pass recommendation (5 ayes, 2 nays, 1 not voting). The memorial urges federal authorities to reconsider ozone standards the memorial’s proponents say are unattainable due to international transport of ozone precursors.

- House Concurrent Resolution 2022 (support for Palo Verde nuclear plant): Due‑pass recommendation (7 ayes, 0 nays, 1 not voting). The resolution expresses legislative support for Palo Verde and recognition of nuclear energy’s role in the state’s low‑carbon electricity supply.

- House Concurrent Resolution 2044 (support for domestic mineral and metal supply / mining): Due‑pass recommendation (5 ayes, 2 nays, 1 not voting). The resolution recognizes the importance of Arizona mineral resources and supports policies to promote mining; some members raised concerns about environmental and tribal impacts.

Committee procedure notes: Many bills advanced by voice vote or by recorded roll call. Several measures generated robust testimony from agency staff, municipalities, industry associations, environmental groups and other stakeholders. Committee approvals are recommendations; bills must still clear further committee steps, floor votes and any conference actions before becoming law.

For additional context on any specific bill listed above, readers should consult the committee hearing record and bill text for amendments, fiscal notes, and the final roll calls on subsequent floor votes.