By Joyce Lobeck | Yuma Sun
In a signal that he apparently won’t continue to push for passage this legislative session of his controversial water bill, House Speaker Andy Tobin reportedly has appointed an ad hoc committee to work over the summer on a more acceptable version of the legislation.
His decision was reported Wednesday morning by Reps. Darin Mitchell and Lisa Otondo, whose districts include Yuma County. Both of them were appointed to help head up the committee after a meeting with Tobin Tuesday, the two representatives said.
Tobin didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Also appointed to serve on the ad hoc committee are Rep. Frank Pratt, who represents Pinal and Gila counties, and Rep. Brenda Barton of Payson.
As chairman of the House Agriculture and Water Committee, Barton held Tobin’s bill, HB 2338, after hearing concerns about it from a large delegation from Yuma as well as the state’s other rural areas and agriculture interests who are opposed to the legislation as it is currently written.
