STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Arizona House Republicans on the House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee on Tuesday advanced a comprehensive package of legislation aimed at lowering gas prices and protecting ratepayers to ensuring an affordable cost of living for families across the state.

The bills, heard and passed under the leadership of Chairman Gail Griffin, advance key priorities of the House Republican Majority Plan by addressing rising energy costs and delivering direct relief to Arizona households.

“The cost of living for Arizona families, including gas and electricity, continues to increase, and Republicans are acting,” said Chairman Gail Griffin. “This package puts affordability first by lowering fuel costs, protecting ratepayers from higher utility bills, and making sure Arizona has dependable power as demand grows. The Majority Plan is clear: government should work to ease the cost burden on families, not make them worse.”

Gas Affordability Measures

The committee approved multiple bills targeting Arizona’s unusually high fuel costs, particularly in Maricopa and Pinal Counties, which are subject to a costly summer fuel blend requirement:

• HB 2145 (Griffin) allows the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House to jointly request an EPA fuel waiver during shortages when the Governor refuses to act, ensuring another option to prevent price spikes.
• HB 2400 (Willoughby) suspends the state’s 18-cent gas tax from May through September in Maricopa and Pinal Counties, while making local governments whole for lost highway revenue.
• HB 2696 (Willoughby) directs the Arizona Commerce Authority to make lowering gas prices its top priority for two years, including studying new pipelines, an in-state refinery, and a strategic fuel reserve.
• HB 2955 (Willoughby) ends the expensive summer fuel blend, pending federal approval, allowing Arizona to access lower cost fuel sources.
• HCM 2008 (Willoughby) urges Congress to eliminate the federal gas tax in Maricopa and Pinal Counties during the same months as the state tax holiday.

Additional measures include HB 2014 (Fink) and HB 2401 (Willoughby), which require the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to study and regularly review lower cost fuel blends, and HB 2428 (Griffin), which allows voluntary mobile emission reduction credit programs supported by chambers of commerce, utilities, and Maricopa County.

“Today we heard from organizations with the time and resources to lobby against affordable prices for Arizona families, but not from the families paying more at the pump,” said Majority Whip Julie Willoughby. “Working families cannot take time off to come to the Capitol and ask for relief; that is why we are here to help be their voices. Eighteen cents a gallon may sound small to some, but it matters to families trying to make ends meet. I will do everything in my power to deliver relief now while we continue working to fix the fuel blend and supply problems. Families need lower prices, not excuses.”

Energy Affordability and Ratepayer Protection

The committee also passed legislation to strengthen energy reliability and protect residential customers from rising utility costs:

• HB 2331 (Marshall, Heap) requires utilities to meet an 85 percent reliable energy standard by 2030, limiting unreliable generation sources.
• HB 2756 (Griffin) protects residential customers from higher rates tied to large data center demand by requiring special utility contracts.

“Higher gas prices hit everyone, no matter how they vote,” said Chairman Griffin. “I don’t see why asking our federal delegation to work with the EPA to get cheaper gas for Arizona should be controversial. No one wants to pay more at the pump. This is one issue where we should be able to come together and address the issue that matters most to Arizona families.”

The majority of the bills passed out of committee on party-line votes, with Democrats voting in opposition. The bills now move forward for further consideration as House Republicans continue advancing an affordability agenda focused on lower costs, dependable power, and protecting Arizona ratepayers.

 Gail Griffin is a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives serving Legislative District 19, which includes areas of Greenlee, Graham, Cochise, and eastern Pima and Santa Cruz Counties. She also serves as Chairman of the House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee.