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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
House: NREW DP 6-4-0-0 |
HB 2696: commerce authority; gas; prices; prioritization
Sponsor: Representative Willoughby, LD 13
Caucus & COW
Overview
Directs the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) to use all available resources to reduce fuel and gas prices and to consider price reduction of fuel to be its primary objective until December 31, 2029. Instructs the ACA to collaborate with the oil and gas industry on a study and submit a report of the findings by October 1, 2026, regarding the construction of relevant infrastructure and fuel formulations.
History
The ACA promotes economic, community and workforce development. The ACA's duties include the support of statewide business expansion, retention, attraction and workforce development.
The ACA is governed by a board of directors consisting of the Governor, who serves as chairperson, the Chief Executive Officer, 17 private sector business leaders and several ex officio members without the power to vote, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate (A.R.S. § 41-1502) (JLBC).
Provisions
Primary Objective of the Arizona Commerce Authority
1. Requires the ACA to use all available resources to reduce fuel and gas prices. (Sec. 1)
2. Requires the ACA to consider the reduction of fuel and gas prices to be its primary objective. (Sec. 1)
3. Directs the ACA to prioritize the use of any existing program or incentive to advance its primary objective. (Sec. 1)
4. Contains a delayed repeal date of January 1, 2030 for this section. (Sec. 1)
Fuel and Gas Study
5. Instructs the ACA to conduct a study in collaboration with members of the oil and gas industry to study:
a. the impact and process for the repeal of the cleaner burning gasoline blend, including an evaluation of alternative lower cost blends;
b. the construction of additional refined products pipelines and establishment of a strategic oil and gas reserve; and
c. the opportunity to construct one or more potential refineries, including restarting and reevaluating, a proposed oil refinery in Yuma County. (Sec. 2)
6. Prescribes that the ACA must meet at least three times between the effective date of this act and October 1, 2026, with the chairpersons of the House of Representatives' Natural Resource, Energy and Water Committee and the Senate's Natural Resources Committee to provide updates on the price of fuel and gas and the study's progress. (Sec. 2)
7. States that the ACA must submit a report on the study's findings by October 1, 2026, to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate and provide a copy to the Secretary of State. (Sec. 2)
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Initials CW/HC HB 2696
2/4/2026 Page 0 Caucus & COW
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