Senate committee advances bills on liquor rules, penny rounding, parking booting, private permitting, housing design, senior care and title-fraud protections

PHOENIX — The Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs & Government Efficiency moved a broad set of bills on Feb. 10 that would change rules for alcohol regulation, cash rounding, private parking enforcement, permitting and inspections, housing design, assisted-living rules, and protections against title fraud.

Top outcomes

- SB 14-78 (liquor code updates): Committee adopted a Bullock amendment clarifying the definition of cider (no more than 8.5% ABV) and gave the bill a due-pass recommendation. Steve Barclay, representing wine distributors, emphasized the stakeholder process and said the changes are largely technical.

- SB 11-08 (penny rounding): The panel adopted a Leach amendment that removes an individual-item exemption, clarifies tax remittance before rounding and shields compliant businesses from penalties. The bill passed as amended by recorded voice and roll call (6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 not voting).

- SB 12-05 (booting on private property): The measure sets minimum signage, limits fees (floor $90, cap $150), requires records and phone access for removal and makes certain violations a class 2 misdemeanor. Industry counsel said regulation is needed to prevent abuses; senators asked for stronger consumer appeal provisions.

- SB 12-41 (private permitting and inspections for single-trade residential projects): Supporters, including Permit Power and the Freedom to Fix Coalition, said allowing qualified private reviewers and inspectors will speed routine home upgrades and reduce municipal backlogs. The League of Arizona Cities and Towns and several county supervisors opposed broad preemption, citing public-safety and oversight concerns (gas lines, battery systems). The Payne amendment adds immunity language for municipalities and requirements for insurance; the committee advanced the bill as amended (due-pass).

- SB 14-31 (home-design restrictions/HOA limits): Sponsors framed the measure as expanding buyer choice and lowering cost by banning certain municipal design mandates and restrictions that force HOAs. Cities’ representatives warned that some design standards are tied to crime prevention and open-space requirements; the committee gave the bill a due-pass as amended following extended debate.

- SB 14-73 (assisted-living occupancy): In response to local ordinances reducing allowed bed counts in small assisted-living homes, supporters urged statewide rules to protect 10-bed homes; the sponsor agreed to remove the "statewide concern" phrasing requested by several senators and adopted technical amendments. The committee voted to advance the bill as amended.

- SB 14-77 (referral agencies): The committee adopted an amendment permitting an accredited background-check alternative to the Adult Protective Services Registry and moved the bill with a due-pass recommendation.

- SB 14-79 (title-fraud prevention): Law-enforcement and victims testified on the rise of deed-fraud cases; the bill would require in-person ID at recorders’ offices, allow owner-notification by county assessors, require additional contact details on recorded affidavits and require notary thumbprints for deed-related notarizations. The committee advanced the measure with a due-pass recommendation.

Votes at a glance (committee action)

- Confirmation: Troy L. Campbell to the Arizona State Liquor Board — recommended (6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 not voting). - SB 14-78 — Due pass as amended (7 ayes, 0 nays reported in roll call during committee). - SB 11-08 — Due pass as amended (6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 not voting). - SB 12-05 — Due pass as amended (7 ayes, 0 nays reported). - SB 12-41 — Due pass as amended (5 ayes, 2 nays reported in committee roll call; amendment preserved municipal immunity language in part). - SB 13-66 — Due pass as amended (study committee established; 5 ayes, 2 nays reported). - SB 14-31 — Due pass (6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 not voting reported). - SB 14-73 — Due pass as amended (6 ayes, 0 nays reported). - SB 14-77 — Due pass as amended (6 ayes, 0 nays reported). - SB 14-79 — Due pass (5 ayes, 0 nays reported).

What to watch next

- SB 12-41 (private permitting and inspections) drew the most sustained debate; the bill’s scope and oversight mechanisms — especially around inspections for gas connections and battery systems — are likely to be a focus in following negotiations and potential floor amendments.

- SB 14-79 (title-fraud prevention) may see technical floor amendments to address remote/online notary procedures; proponents flagged an amendment planned for Committee of the Whole to address remote-notary evidence and video verification.

Representative quotes from the hearing

- "There's nothing in this for big alcohol... we do this for the good of the order," said Steve Barclay, summarizing the industry-led process for SB 14-78.

- "We are trying to create a regulatory environment that's fair to the consumer," said a proponent for SB 12-05 about booting rules.

- "We want to preserve local control," said Nick Ponder of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns in respectful opposition to SB 12-41, citing public-safety and oversight concerns.

- "If similar reductions occur statewide, Arizona could face an unintended senior housing crisis," said Jean Pedersen, an assisted-living home operator, in support of SB 14-73.

(Combined reporting based on testimony, sponsor explanations, and committee roll calls from the Feb. 10, 2026 hearing.)