Arizona House rejects reconsideration of bill that would expand penalties for camping near water

The Arizona House on March 16, 2026, rejected a motion to reconsider House Bill 21-97, a measure that would have revised state law to shorten the distance defining prohibited camping near water sources and expand related criminal penalties. The motion to reconsider failed, 15 ayes to 36 nays, with 8 not voting and one vacant seat.

Lawmakers sparred over whether the measure advances conservation or instead criminalizes unhoused people and raises enforcement and federal-compliance concerns. Representative Sandoval spoke against the bill, saying it “expands criminal penalties for camping near water sources in ways that raise enforcement, funding and federal compliance concerns without clear conservation benefits,” and announced a no vote for those reasons. Representative Bliss, who supported the bill, said it reflected “the culmination of work between Arizona Game and Fish, the Farm Bureau, and the cattle growers” and argued the measure addresses youth and safety concerns tied to access and regulation.

Supporters said the bill aligns Arizona with approaches used in other states and contended it would protect resources used by domestic stock and visitors; opponents cautioned that criminal penalties may have limited conservation value and could redirect enforcement resources. Representative Collin described the change in the statute’s distance provisions and said the bill actually shortens the prior buffer from roughly one-quarter mile to 300 yards, a technical detail supporters cited in favor.

After floor remarks and brief explanations of votes, the clerk recorded a final tally on the reconsideration motion of 15 ayes, 36 nays, 8 not voting and 1 vacant, and announced that the motion had failed on reconsideration. The clerk instructed the record to reflect the House’s action.