By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona legislators continue to work on solutions to help their constituents afford and own their own homes.
On Wednesday, the Arizona State Senate passed HB 2570, the Arizona Starter Homes Act, with a bipartisan vote. The bill, which was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Sonny Borrelli and House Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci, “creates municipal prohibitions relating to home designs and single-family home lot sizes” – according to the overview provided by the chamber.
“Hardworking Arizonans are finding it increasingly difficult to purchase their first home and begin their pursuit of the American dream. This legislation is a step in the right direction in bringing prices down by eliminating some of the restrictive government red tape and expensive regulatory constraints being passed onto homebuyers,” said Senator Borrelli. “Government should do everything in its power to make the lives of our citizens better, but local municipalities are overstepping their authority by trying to control private property rights, instead of focusing their attention on valid rules and regulations protecting against nuisance and safety issues. The Arizona Starter Homes Act is a no-brainer, and I’m encouraged it received bipartisan support. I look forward to the Governor taking appropriate action on behalf of our citizens’ lives and livelihoods by signing this bill into law.”
The bill passed the Senate with a 16-13 vote. One member did not vote.
Last month, the Arizona House of Representatives approved the proposal with a 33-26 vote (with one vacant seat).
Senator Anna Hernandez, a Democrat, applauded the passage of the legislation from her chamber, writing that the result “is amazing for all Arizonans!”
Earlier this week, Democrat State Representative Analise Ortiz stated that this bill “provides the best opportunity for the American dream of homeownership.” She added that “we don’t have to be ‘forever renters,’” and that “our generation deserves to own a home & build generational wealth.”
While the support in the legislature for this piece of legislation is bipartisan, towns and cities around the state have indicted strong opposition to its proposed policies. On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, representatives from the cities of Prescott, Scottsdale, Avondale, Goodyear, Sedona, Flagstaff, Eloy, Mesa, Buckeye, Chandler, Litchfield Park, Glendale, Tucson, and Yuma; as well as from the League of Arizona Cities & Towns, Chandler Chamber of Commerce, and Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce, signed in to oppose the bill. Representatives from the Arizona Neighborhood Project, Republican Liberty Caucus of Arizona, Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, and the Arizona Homeowners Coalition indicated their support for the legislation.
HB 2570 now heads to Governor Katie Hobbs’ desk for a decision on its fate.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
