(The Center Square) – Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said on Thursday that she is still debating whether to sign the ‘Arizona Starter Homes Act,’ which passed the legislature with bipartisan support.
Hobbs said she would prefer to see housing bills as a compromised package between lawmakers and municipalities, which is typically done through the Arizona League of Cities and Towns.
“The bill has not been transmitted to me yet. I’m still looking at it. What I have been very clear about is that when it comes to housing, I want to see a package that is negotiated, that has bipartisan support, and is a compromise with local jurisdictions.”
When asked directly by The Center Square if she was still undecided on House Bill 2570, she said, “Correct.”
The legislation would prevent certain regulations pertaining to lot sizes, having certain amenities that would require a homeowners’ association, among other restrictions commonly placed by cities and towns on housing. Ultimately, the goal is to find ways to lower the cost to buy a house and allow for different types of homes to be built, according to the bill’s proponents.
The bill passed 16-13-1 in the Senate, with a mix of Republicans and Democrats voting for and against, with a similar 33-26 vote in the House.
“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,” Sen. Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu City, said in a statement on Wednesday.
“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,” Borrelli added.
Numerous Democratic lawmakers are also enthusiastic about the legislation sponsored by Rep. Leo Biasucci, R-Lake Havasu City.
“HUGE! The Arizona Starter Homes Act will bring the American dream of homeownership in reach for teachers, veterans, firefighters, and young families. With bipartisan support in both chambers, I look forward to Gov. [Katie Hobbs] signing this historic win for housing policy,” Rep. Analise Ortiz, D-Phoenix, tweeted.
