A bill, SB1114, that cuts through bureaucratic roadblocks and would allow long-stalled housing developments to move forward in Buckeye and other parts of the Phoenix area, by reducing the amount of water permitted for each housing development, is headed to a full vote of the Arizona House of Representatives.
SB1114, sponsored by Senator Tim Dunn, reduces projected water demand by 15 percent and unlocks $5 billion in stranded investment, enabling the construction of 150,000 to 200,000 new housing units in fast-growing areas.
“This legislation is about common sense and results,” said Representative Nick Kupper. “Thousands of homes sit on hold due to unnecessary red tape and bureaucratic hurdles that can be solved today. SB1114 solves those problems, reduces groundwater demand, and proves that we can manage our water resources responsibly while prioritizing housing affordability and availability for Arizona’s hardworking families.”
The bill as passed by the House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee, establishes a process allowing homebuilders to reduce their groundwater usage in exchange for the ability to move forward with their projects. The bill directly addresses the “unmet demand” cited by Governor Hobbs as justification for her housing moratorium, which has put the brakes on new housing development in key growth areas.
According to testimony presented in the committee, the unmet demand is entirely solvable and could be addressed immediately, if there were political will to resume homebuilding and restore housing affordability.
A Home Builders Association of Central Arizona representative testified that if all developers whose projects are currently stalled by the moratorium were to accept the 15 percent groundwater reduction, it would generate enough water savings to eliminate the alleged unmet demand and lift the housing moratorium entirely.
“At this point, the housing moratorium is a political decision—not a regulatory necessity. SB1114 is a real, workable solution that immediately reduces groundwater demand, fixes the unmet demand, 1 protects the aquifer, and allows private sector actors to build the homes Arizona families need to maintain an affordable cost of living and achieve the American Dream of home ownership in our state,” Kupper said. “If Governor Hobbs doesn’t want the moratorium, she has a way to lift it today. SB1114 provides her with that option.”
SB1115 and SB1116, two additional water policy bills, passed out of the committee on Tuesday. Each bill is designed to break down unnecessary government-imposed barriers and give cities like Buckeye the tools they need to grow responsibly.
“Our state needs housing. Our economy needs investment. And we have the ability to deliver both while managing our water resources wisely,” said Kupper. “That’s what I voted for. That’s what Arizona House Republicans are fighting for.”
Wow, greedy home builders getting their profits today, at the expense of tomorrow’s water resources. Home builders should pay for water resources today.
Sounds like magic. The government passes a bill and all of a sudden home owners use 15% less water forever? How does that work?
Developers believe they can build houses as long as they can buy more land. But the truth is we can build as long as we have more water.