By Phil Riske | Senior Reporter/Writer
(STATE CAPITOL) — Over opposition from most Democrats, the Senate Thursday passed a bill to eliminate a requirement cities and towns comply with county laws regarding water availability for new subdivisions.
Current ordinance requires a proposed subdivision located outside of an Active Water Management area (AMA} to demonstrate an adequate water supply (100-years) before a subdivision can be approved.
The vote was 21-3, and the bill now goes to the House.
The bill (SB 1268), which would permit cities and towns to “opt-out” of the county regulations is supported by the Southern Arizona and Central Arizona builders associations and was opposed by eight of the 13 Democrats in the Senate.