STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – State Representative Nick Kupper on Tuesday voted in support of SB1114, a bill that cuts through bureaucratic roadblocks and allows long-stalled housing developments to move forward in Buckeye and other parts of the Phoenix area by reducing the amount of water permitted for each housing development. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Tim Dunn, reduces projected water demand by 15 percent and unlocks $5 billion in stranded investment, enabling the construction of 150,000–200,000 new housing units in fast-growing areas. 

“This legislation is about common sense and results,” said Representative Kupper. “Thousands of homes sit on hold due to unnecessary red tape and bureaucratic hurdles that can be solved today. SB1114 solves those problems, reduces groundwater demand, and proves that we can manage our water resources responsibly while prioritizing housing affordability and availability for Arizona’s hardworking families.” 

SB1114, which passed the House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee chaired by Representative Gail Griffin, establishes a process allowing homebuilders to reduce their groundwater usage in exchange for the ability to move forward with their projects. 

The bill directly addresses the “unmet demand” cited by Governor Hobbs as justification for her housing moratorium, which has put the brakes on new housing development in key growth areas. 

According to testimony presented in Committee, the unmet demand is entirely solvable and could be addressed immediately, if there were political will to resume homebuilding and restore housing affordability. 

According to testimony received from the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, if all developers whose projects are currently stalled by the moratorium were to accept the 15 percent groundwater reduction, it would generate enough water savings to eliminate the alleged unmet demand and lift the housing moratorium entirely. 

“At this point, the housing moratorium is a political decision—not a regulatory necessity. SB1114 is a real, workable solution that immediately reduces groundwater demand, fixes the unmet demand, protects the aquifer, and allows private sector actors to build the homes Arizona families need to maintain an affordable cost of living and achieve the American Dream of home ownership in our state,” Representative Kupper said. “If Governor Hobbs doesn’t want the moratorium, she has a way to lift it today. SB1114 provides her with that option.”

Representative Kupper also supported SB1115 and SB1116, two additional water policy bills that passed out of the committee on Tuesday. Each bill is designed to break down unnecessary government-imposed barriers and give cities like Buckeye the tools they need to grow responsibly. 

“Our state needs housing. Our economy needs investment. And we have the ability to deliver both while managing our water resources wisely,” said Representative Kupper. “That’s what I voted for. That’s what Arizona House Republicans are fighting for.”

SB1114, SB1115, and SB1116 now advance to the full House for consideration.

Nick Kupper is a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives serving Legislative District 25 which includes portions of Maricopa, Yuma, and La Paz Counties. He also serves as Vice Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee. Follow him on X at @kupper4arizona.