Sedona staff to draft letter to governor opposing OHV bill; council updated on session and new "malicious delay" property measure

City staff provided a legislative update on the state session and two bills of local interest.

Monique (speaker 8) told the council the legislature had transmitted 188 bills, with 125 signed and 63 vetoed, and that the budget was moving toward a likely adoption. She briefed council on a recently signed private-property bill that restricts "malicious delay" by local governments in processing single-family home-related applications; the bill allows property owners to complain to the Arizona attorney general, who may investigate and impose a one-time civil penalty of $5,000 if malicious delay is found.

Staff also summarized a debated off-highway vehicle (OHV) bill that would raise the weight threshold for certain vehicles from 2,500 to 3,500 pounds, create an OHV law-enforcement fund administered by State Parks, and direct some registration/decal fees away from cities to that state fund. Monique said the bill had been retained on the committee calendar and remained controversial; staff recommended drafting a letter to the governor urging a veto if the bill reaches the governor's desk.

The council directed staff to draft a letter (under the mayor's signature) opposing the OHV bill if it advances; staff confirmed they would prepare the draft for the mayor.

What happens next: Staff will draft a letter for the mayor to consider and return with a final version if the bill advances toward the governor.