Senate Republicans Pass "Ag-to-Urban" Bill to Help Arizona Families Afford a Home While Saving Water
- Arizona Senate Republicans
- Jun 19
- 3 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Senate Republicans Pass "Ag-to-Urban" Bill to
Help Arizona Families Afford a Home While Saving Water
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— A bipartisan bill designed to help Arizona conserve water while increasing homebuilding to bring housing prices down for hardworking Arizona families is headed to the House for consideration after passing out of the Senate this evening.
Sponsored by President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water, the "Ag-to-Urban" bill provides solutions to Arizona's most pressing issues: groundwater protection and skyrocketing home prices due to low supply. Also known as SB 1611, this legislation allows farmers to sell their land and water rights to developers who will in turn build for-sale housing to meet the needs of Arizona's growing population.
Single-family housing in Arizona currently uses less water than agriculture. In fact, our state uses the same amount of water today with 7.5 million people living here, as it did in 1957 with only 1.5 million people. Meanwhile, the most recent data available from the Arizona Department of Housing estimates a shortage of 270,000 housing units statewide. This lack of supply is a driving force behind rising prices. Over the past five years, the average median home sale price in Arizona has increased more than 50% and currently sits near $450,000. Right now, there are more than 400,000 acres of irrigated farmland in the Phoenix, Pinal, and Tucson Active Management Areas that could participate in the ag-to-urban program, if signed into law. If half of this farmland is transformed into housing, more than a million homes could be built. This increased supply would effectively lower home prices in Arizona and save water.
"This is the most consequential piece of groundwater legislation since the 1980s Groundwater Management Act," said Chairman Shope. "An analysis of the Ag-to-Urban program by the Arizona Department of Water Resources reveals our state will save 9.6-million-acre feet of water over the next 100 years. This is the equivalent of having the water within 14 Lake Pleasants stored underground. The ag-to-urban program is a win-win for farmers who are ready to retire but still want to capitalize on their land and for Arizona families looking to obtain their American dream through homeownership. I'm proud of the tireless work by my colleagues on both sides of the aisle with numerous stakeholder meetings over the past 18 months to come to a consensus. It's now up to the House to get this bill to the governor's desk, and for the governor to not make the same mistake twice."
"The Arizona Cotton Growers Association is grateful for Senator Shope’s leadership and commitment to collaborative water solutions," said Jadee Rohner, Executive Director of the Arizona Cotton Growers Association. "This legislation creates a voluntary and well-balanced framework that respects the vital role of agriculture while allowing for thoughtful urban growth. By enabling water to be used more efficiently as land use changes, the bill helps ensure long-term sustainability without undermining Arizona’s agricultural legacy."
"I've been farming in Coolidge for 45 years, and I fully support this Ag-to-Urban bill," said Farmer Noah Hiscox of Hiscox Farms. "It's fair, and I see no reason why the governor shouldn't sign it."
"As the Chair of the Pinal County Board of Supervisors, I am thrilled to see SB 1611 pass the Senate and hope that it passes the House and moves to the Governor’s desk for signing. This bill addresses critical water challenges that have long impacted our communities, farmers, and future growth," said Pinal County Board of Supervisors Chairman Stephen Miller. "By tackling the hold on our water resources, SB 1611 paves the way for sustainable development and economic stability. This victory is a testament to the tireless teamwork of Arizona Water, Pinal Partnership, and countless stakeholders who have worked hand-in-hand with the Arizona Legislature to craft this solution."
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
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