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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
exceptional events; air quality; wildfires
Purpose
Requires the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to submit an exceptional event demonstration to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) if a wildfire occurs on federally managed land that affects Arizona.
Background
Exceptional events are unusual or naturally occurring events that can affect air quality but are not reasonably controllable using techniques that tribal, state or local air agencies may implement in order to attain and maintain the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (EPA).
ADEQ must: 1) make continuing determinations of the quantity and nature of emissions of air contaminants, topography, wind and temperature conditions, possible chemical reactions in the atmosphere, the character of development of the various areas of Arizona, the economic effect of remedial measures on the various areas of Arizona, the availability, use and economic feasibility of air-cleaning devices, the effect on human health and danger to property from air contaminants, the effect on industrial operations of remedial measures and other matters necessary to arrive at a better understanding of air pollution and its control; 2) establish substantive policy statements for identifying air quality exceptional events that take into consideration Arizona's unique geological, geographical and climatological conditions and any other unusual circumstances; 3) determine the standards for the quality of the ambient air and the limits of air contaminants necessary to protect the public health, and to secure the comfortable enjoyment of life and property by the citizens of Arizona, the health of the population, or the nature of the economy or nature of land and its uses so require; and 4) carry out other statutorily prescribed duties. The substantive policy statements for identifying air quality exceptional events must be developed with the planning agency certified and the county air pollution control department or district; (A.R.S. § 49-424).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires ADEQ to submit an exceptional event demonstration to the U.S. EPA if a wildfire occurs on federally managed land that affects Arizona.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
NREW 2/4/26 W/D
LARA 2/16/26 DP 5-1-0-2
3rd Read 2/26/26 31-22-7
Prepared by Senate Research
March 6, 2026
SB/NRG/hk