Arizona Gov. Hobbs Protects Rural Communities by Vetoing Detrimental Water Bills

(PHOENIX, AZ – April 13, 2026) Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed three bills today — HB 2031, HB 2102, and HB 2103  — that would have delayed or distracted from rural communities’ efforts to protect local groundwater supplies. Environmental Defense Fund, on behalf of our Arizona membership and many local community partners, is grateful to Gov. Hobbs for these vetoes. 

HB2031 would have needlessly delayed the implementation of the Willcox Active Management Area and created uncertainty for local irrigators. HB2102 and HB2103 served only as trivial distractions from another harmful proposal that would enable out-of-state water speculators to pump rural groundwater supplies relied upon by local communities in western Arizona and sell them to the Phoenix area. 

“Living in rural Arizona has always been about building sustainable communities and protecting local resources so we can keep our local economies thriving. But we’ve seen an exponential rise in the targeting of our water supplies, especially by outside interests, because of the lack of protections for our water,” said Steve Kisiel, a rural resident and water advocate. “The Legislature is falling behind: We in rural Arizona are ready to implement sound groundwater management and build our future together.” 

Bipartisan rural community leaders from across the state have advocated for local groundwater protections for years. In the absence of meaningful legislative action, communities have made historic gains in protecting their local water supplies though existing executive authorities. 

“Local residents are tired of seeing the Legislature’s attempts to undermine their efforts to protect their own resources.” said Chris Kuzdas, who serves as the Arizona Water Program Director for EDF. “And so we’re celebrating these vetoes with them."

EDF thanks Gov. Hobbs and her team for their leadership and willingness to partner with local communities and work in a bipartisan way to build a secure water future for all Arizonans no matter where they live.