Scottsdale officials hear state legislative snapshot as 2026 session opens
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Summary
City staff and Cutak Rock lobbyists briefed the council on early 2026 Arizona legislative activity, highlighting governor priorities (K‑12, water, modernizing government), uncertainty about tax conformity with federal changes, and major themes including water policy, housing affordability and short‑term rentals.
On Jan. 13, 2026 the City Council received an early snapshot of the Arizona Legislature's 2026 session from city staff and Mark Osborne of Cutak Rock, the city's state lobbying contractor.
Sarah Sparman, the city's government relations manager, introduced Osborne and said the firm will provide monthly updates during session. Osborne said the first day saw roughly 460 bills filed and that number could rise toward 1,800–2,000 as the first house deadline approaches. He identified the governor’s priorities — K‑12 education, water policy, and modernizing state government — and a constrained fiscal backdrop (about a $68 million surplus on an $18 billion budget).
Osborne flagged tax‑conformity debate as an early and consequential fight, noting federal changes that could carry large fiscal costs (he estimated roughly $450 million per year in one scenario). He also highlighted water issues tied to Colorado River negotiations, potential reforms to accessory‑dwelling‑unit (ADU) legislation, short‑term rental regulation, and public‑safety‑technology discussions such as license‑plate‑reader guardrails.
Councilmembers asked about budget forecasting accuracy and local control implications. Osborne said forecasting groups including university economists and state analysts coordinate quarterly forecasts and that the city will monitor bills that implicate municipal authority. The city asked lobbyists to return with focused briefings as the session narrows and key deadlines pass.
