By Ethan Faverino |
This week, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors kept a tradition going when they unanimously approved a resolution to extend a moratorium on new county government regulations.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors first adopted the moratorium in 2013 and was effective until the end of 2017. The Board then extended the moratorium in 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025.
This most recent extension lasts until December 31, 2026.
The moratorium prohibits all county departments from initiating any ordinance, rule, or regulation except in emergencies, when approved by a majority of the Board of Supervisors and when such a regulation would prevent a significant threat to public health, peace, or safety.
“The extension of this moratorium provides stability for current businesses to thrive and grow in Maricopa County,” said Board of Supervisors Vice Chair, Debbie Lesko, District 4 in a press release. “It will also encourage new businesses to setup shop in Maricopa County, because they won’t have to navigate unnecessary rules and costs to do business.”
“As a business owner myself, I understand how much unnecessary regulations can get in the way of progress and innovation,” said Supervisor Mark Stewart, District 1. “At the end of the day, our job as the Board of Supervisors is to provide peak conditions for our economy to grow while maintaining quality of life for residents. The extension of this moratorium does just that.”
Deregulation is in the air this month.
Earlier this month, Maricopa County officials also announced that a recent determination from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will not trigger additional air quality regulations for the region, maintaining its current “moderate” nonattainment classification under federal ozone standards.
According to a County press release, the County remains designated as a “moderate” nonattainment area under the 2015 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), meaning ozone levels in parts of the region continue to exceed federal limits. However, the County has avoided a “serious” classification, which would increase regulatory burdens on industry.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
