Standing Up for Southern Arizona: Pima County’s 2026 Legislative Agenda

2026 Legislative Agenda
The dome of the Historic Pima County Courthouse in downtown Tucson.

PIMA COUNTY (July 28, 2025) — Each year, Pima County approves an annual Legislative Agenda, which ensures that the interests of the County are represented with elected and appointed officials in both the State and Federal governments. The 2026 Legislative Agenda provides a delineation of the key governmental issues determined by the Board of Supervisors, which allows for the appropriate planning and management of Pima County’s response to legislative issues. Pima County’s 2026 Legislative Agenda outlines the County’s key policy priorities and advocacy goals for the upcoming state and federal legislative sessions. The agenda is approved annually by the Board of Supervisors to ensure that the County’s interests are effectively represented.

Key Goals:

  1. Protect the Pima County Taxpayer

  2. Invest in Infrastructure

  3. Maintain or Strengthen Critical Programs

  4. Fortify Public Safety

  5. Support the County Supervisors Association (CSA) Legislative Agenda

State-Level Priorities:

1. Protect the County Taxpayer

  • Oppose unfunded mandates and state cost shifts—currently $125.9 million annually.

  • Modernize procurement/public notice processes while collaborating with the Arizona Media Association.

  • Support legislation to eliminate racist CCR language from home deeds without burdensome fees.

  • Explore statutory changes to allow the creation of special districts (e.g., health, jail) to meet funding needs.

2. Invest in Infrastructure

  • Advocate for funding to expand broadband access, especially in affordable housing.

  • Support the establishment of a Homeless Shelter and Services Fund.

  • Push for transportation funding reform, including updates to outdated gas tax formulas and more equitable revenue distribution.

  • Urge the use of objective priority planning in State transportation funding decisions.

3. Maintain or Strengthen Critical Programs

  • Secure full funding for SHPO and DFFM to protect infrastructure and historic preservation efforts.

  • Defend the authority of county health departments and public health funding.

  • Expand AHCCCS coverage for substance use treatment and increase inpatient treatment days.

  • Support efforts to regulate Kava, expand reproductive healthcare, and maintain DES childcare subsidy levels.

  • Preserve funding for early childhood education, including the Pima Early Education Program (PEEPs).

4. Fortify Public Safety

  • Advocate for wildfire insurance reform, including rate fairness based on mitigation efforts.

  • Seek inclusion in jail reentry program grants (currently excluding Pima County).

  • Support red flag laws and firearm safety measures.

  • Push for cost alignment between counties and the State for court and probation systems.

Federal-Level Priorities:

Pima County will monitor and oppose federal policy changes that threaten funding for:

  • Medicaid, SNAP, and WIC

  • Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs

  • Infrastructure, transportation, and youth development efforts

Legislative Process & CSA Collaboration:

The County works closely with the County Supervisors Association (CSA) to ensure that its priorities are reflected at the state level. The 2026 Legislative Agenda will be finalized ahead of the CSA Legislative Summit in October 2025.

To read the full report, click here: July 15, 2025 – 2026 Legislative Agenda