House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference
Key Moments
Amelia — Amelia introduced herself to the committee as its page, stating that she would be serving in that role.
Edward — Introduced himself as a page for the committee.
Vicente Rana — Introduced himself as a senior policy advisor for the House Democratic Caucus and noted this is his ninth session on staff.
Valeria Mendez — Introduced herself as a junior at the University of Arizona.
Zane Ellen — Introduced himself as a House Majority Research Intern and said he also attends the University of Arizona.
Austin Crea — Introduced himself as the majority policy advisor for the committee and noted this is his sixth session.
Paul Beny — Introduced himself as a research analyst for the committee and said he graduated from ASU West Campus.
HB2237 — First bill number mentioned, but the sponsor indicates it is not the correct bill for the upcoming discussion.
HB2258 — HB 2258 is introduced and explained as a bill to add La Paz County to Area 4 for representation on the Tourism Advisory Council. The sponsor clarifies that La Paz County was omitted and should be included among the counties represented. After a brief joking comment about tourism representation, the committee moves the bill for a do-pass recommendation, and HB 2258 ultimately passes by a 7-0 vote.
Zane Elwood — Introduced the bill as a House Majority Research Intern for the committee.
HB2065 — The committee discusses HB 2065, an appropriation bill that would allocate $9.5 million from the State General Fund in fiscal year 2027 to the State Treasurer for the city of Apache Junction for housing infrastructure, housing rehabilitation, and blight abatement. A motion is made to return the bill with a do-pass recommendation, followed by a question about how much of the funding goes directly to housing. The committee then votes and HB 2065 passes 6-1.
HB2066 — The committee introduces HB 2066 and then hears staff presentation of the bill, which would appropriate $8 million from the General Fund in fiscal year 2027 to the State Treasurer for distribution to the city of Apache Junction to expand broadband and fiber optic networks.
Lindsay Goodwin — Lindsay Goodwin is repeatedly acknowledged during the hearing as someone watching from the audience, with speakers offering a warm shout-out and expressing that they love and miss her, while also noting her connection as an original Apache Junction figure.
HB2106 — House Bill 2106 was presented as an emergency measure that would direct undistributed or non-refunded transportation excise tax revenues collected before April 10, 2026 to ADOT, effectively redirecting leftover escrowed tax funds toward road-related purposes in Pinal County. The sponsor repeatedly restated the bill’s purpose and concluded by summarizing that this is what the bill does.
Kitty Proctor — The chair notes Kitty Proctor is present, but says it is not necessary for her to speak.
Craig McFarland — The chair notes that Craig McFarland had a statement he wanted to read, but he is not present.
Craig McFarlane — The speaker says Craig McFarlane had a statement he wanted to read, but it will instead be emailed to members.
HB2106 — HB 2106 is moved and then returned with a do-pass recommendation, and the chair confirms the committee has passed the bill with that recommendation.
HB2071 — The chair announces the committee will move quickly to HB 2071.
HB2071 — HB 2071 is discussed in a brief legislative sequence where a speaker raises the possibility of amending the bill to add accountability for state dollars tied to the funding, then moves to return the bill with a do-pass recommendation. The committee subsequently votes in favor, and the recommendation is confirmed as a do-pass.
HB2071 — The bill is introduced as an appropriation for Apache Junction rural development projects.