Goodyear staff outline 2026 state and federal legislative agenda, flag housing, water and data-center issues
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Summary
City government relations staff presented Goodyear's proposed 2026 state and federal legislative agenda, highlighting housing/zoning reforms, water and Colorado River issues, sober-living licensure, and anticipated state proposals tied to large'load energy users. A formal resolution will go before council Jan. 26.
Goodyear's government relations team presented the city's proposed 2026 state and federal legislative agenda on Jan. 5, warning councilmembers that bills this year could affect municipal revenues and local land-use authority.
"We're really excited to present your 2026 state and federal legislative agenda for the city of Goodyear," said Edwin Hernandez, identified in the record as chief government affairs officer, as he opened the presentation. Hernandez said staff track bills that could affect local operations and coordinate with municipal partners and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns.
Why it matters: the Arizona Legislature's next regular session begins Jan. 12, and staff said the agenda will guide when and how the city engages with lawmakers, outside lobbyists and regional partners. Hernandez told council staff will bring a formal resolution for adoption at the Jan. 26 council meeting.
Key themes and staff positions
- Housing and zoning: Staff described a prior, contested measure in the record identified as the 'starter home act' (referred to in the presentation as Senate Bill 12 29). Presenters said the version advanced by some builders lacked affordability measures and would have reduced local design-review authority; Goodyear and allied cities opposed that approach and pursued compromise proposals that the Legislature ultimately did not adopt last year.
- Water policy and Colorado River negotiations: Hernandez said the session saw roughly 130 water-related bills tied to a new groundwater model and ongoing Colorado River negotiations. Staff will continue tracking bills that could change groundwater or basin-management rules.
- Municipal revenue and preemption: Hernandez warned staff are monitoring proposals to limit local revenue tools. He cited a referenced "big beautiful bill" (HR1 in the presentation) and said a state estimate put potential general-fund impacts at about $438,000,000; staff pledged to report expected local impacts as analysis becomes available.
- Sober-living homes and licensure: Following state attorney-general reviews of some sober-living home billing practices, the record credits the Legislature and local partners with passing a League-backed licensure proposal (cited in the record as Senate Bill 1308) that requires Arizona Department of Health Services to consult with local jurisdictions as part of licensure compliance.
- Data centers and large energy users: Presenters said they are tracking proposals related to data centers, battery storage and other large users of electricity, and will coordinate with peers to ensure local design and review needs are considered.
Council reaction and next steps
Councilmembers commended the outreach and asked staff to provide regular updates on any preemption bills and on the likely local fiscal impacts of statewide proposals. Several members emphasized water and federal Colorado River negotiations as priorities that may require both state- and federal engagement.
The presentation materials include a one-page summary and a two-page detail sheet intended for meetings with legislators and community partners. Hernandez said the city will return with a formal resolution for council consideration on Jan. 26.
The work session concluded with no formal vote on the agenda itself; staff sought council endorsement of the guiding principles and said a separate resolution will formalize the city's legislative priorities.
