Florence council adopts 2026–27 legislative platform, flags bills to watch
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Summary
Council adopted its 2026–27 legislative platform to protect local decision‑making and revenues, and to promote transportation and water priorities. Staff flagged several state bills that could affect Florence, including permit processing, mobile vendor licensing and PRTA transportation appropriations.
Florence — The Florence Town Council on Feb. 3 approved the town’s 2026–2027 legislative platform, directing staff and local advocates to monitor and engage on state legislation that could affect municipal authority, revenue and local projects.
Jeff Graves presented the platform, which carries forward priorities from the prior year: preserving local decision‑making, protecting local revenues, opposing unfunded mandates, protecting local water rights, promoting transportation projects and supporting good governance. Graves reviewed several bills town staff are watching: proposals affecting housing and local design standards (e.g., bills restricting municipal design authority), a bill to create parallel permit processing by third‑party providers (potential safety and inspection implications), short‑term rental legislation, a vacant‑property registration bill, municipal tax or administrative caps, mobile food vendor preemption (which would limit local licensing authority), and tax conformity and election‑date fix measures.
Graves also flagged transportation bills tied to Pinal Regional Transportation Authority (PRTA) refunds and appropriations; one bill under consideration included roughly $6.2 million to widen Hunt Highway and another would redirect funds to ADOT control with possible implications for locally prioritized projects. Council members discussed outreach and requested staff prepare concise talking points and sample letters for council members and residents to use when contacting state legislators.
Council member Maldonado moved to approve the legislative platform; the motion was seconded and the platform was approved by voice vote. Council directed staff to prepare brief talking points, sample letters and notification materials so residents can support or oppose bills affecting Florence.
Next steps: staff will monitor bills named in the presentation and prepare concise talking points and sample correspondence for council and the public to facilitate timely advocacy.