Legislative Session Update & ADEQ UST Rule Review
Today is the 58th day of the Arizona Legislative session. Below you can find updates on APMA priority bills:
• HB2166 (diesel tax stickers) – Passed House 40-18 (bipartisan), scheduled for hearing in Senate Public Safety Committee on Wednesday. House engrossed version linked here.
• SB1730 (UST reforms) – Passed Senate 24-1 (bipartisan). Senate engrossed version available here.
• HB2629 (swipe fee reform) – Failed to pass House floor last week. Democrat votes backed out and voted the bill down. We have options to have the measure reconsidered if we can win back a block of Dems. Republican no votes were Gress, Carter, Martinez and Olson. The merchants coalition is exploring a possible re-vote.
• HB2165 (SNAP restriction on soda) – Passed House 32-27 (party line), assigned to Senate Health and Human Services. House engrossed version linked here. APMA opposes.
• SB1556 (hemp beverage regulation) – Passed Senate 23-6 (bipartisan) with floor amendment. Senate engrossed version available here.
• SB1272 (vapor product registry) – No Senate floor action yet.
You can find bill summaries and track other bills that APMA is watching here.
Every 5 years, agencies solicit input on their rules. ADEQ has opened a survey to get feedback on the Underground Storage Tank Rules, with feedback due by March 19, 2025. You can complete the survey here. If you have feedback that you want APMA to submit, please send it to Amanda Gray by March 17.
Other news from the Capitol:
• Alec Thomson, Arizona Lottery Director nominee, won 5-0 approval from the Senate Director Nominations Committee. The Governor has resubmitted Karen Peters as the nominee for ADEQ Director, but she has not been scheduled for a hearing yet. Department of Agriculture Director nominee Paul Brierly also awaits his hearing.
• Democrat Senator Eva Burch announced her resignation, blaming poor pay and lack of productivity at the Capitol. The first resignation this term, but likely not the last.
Feel free to contact APMA if you have questions or concerns on any of the above.
State and Industry News
• Seven & i, Couche-Tard Search for Potential Buyers (NACS Daily)
• It’s Time to End the Hidden Tax on Arizona Businesses (Gila Valley Central – op ed)
• Credit Card Swipe Fees Cost Arizona’s Small Businesses Millions while Big Banks Profit (Gilbert Independent – op ed)
• Fuel Retailing in 2025: What’s Shaping the Future of Forecourt Operations (NACS Daily)
• Lawmaker Wants to Ban Soda from Food Stamps Program (AZ Capitol Times)
• Is California Government Considering Oil Refinery Takeovers? Yes, It Is (Los Angeles Times)