Grand Canyon Times

The Arizona House Committee on Land, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs has moved forward with several legislative measures aimed at maintaining affordable housing options in rural areas. These bills are sponsored by State Representative Gail Griffin, who also chairs the House Natural Resources, Energy, and Water Committee.

The proposed legislation includes five bills: HB2090, HB2091, HB2092, HB2093, and HB2094. These measures focus on land division policies to allow individuals to build homes in rural areas where land is more affordable. Representative Griffin said, "Not everyone wants or can afford to live in the city," emphasizing the importance of enabling people to pursue homeownership outside urban areas.

Current Arizona law permits individuals to divide land into five or fewer lots without facing the subdivision requirements that apply to major developers. The new bills aim to preserve this practice and help maintain housing affordability by allowing construction in rural areas at lower costs.

This initiative aligns with the 2025 House Majority Plan's goal of reducing living costs across Arizona while ensuring individuals' rights to choose their living conditions. Representative Griffin expressed concern over proposals from Democrats on the Governor’s Water Policy Council that could reduce legal lot splits from five to one. She warned that such changes would hinder affordable housing options for many Arizonans.

Griffin reiterated the commitment of Arizona House Republicans to protect land division rights in rural areas as essential for keeping housing costs low and preserving the American Dream of homeownership.

Gail Griffin represents Legislative District 19 and serves as a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives.