PHOENIX, Arizona - The Arizona House of Representatives passed a contentious bill (SB 1543) last Thursday, allowing Taser manufacturer Axon to move forward with a large apartment complex development despite opposition from the city of Scottsdale. The move has sparked controversy and raised questions about local control versus state intervention.
The bill, which passed with a 40-19 vote, effectively thwarts efforts by opponents who had gathered 26,000 signatures to force a referendum on the project. The petition aimed to put the development on hold until the November 2026 election, giving Scottsdale residents the final say.
Supporters of the bill acknowledged that it nullifies the planned ballot initiative but expressed concerns that further delays could jeopardize the development altogether.
However, the legislation has exposed a rift between Republican lawmakers, particularly those representing Scottsdale, and other members of the GOP. Scottsdale-area representatives argued that beyond overriding the local vote, the legislative intervention could set a dangerous precedent for future disputes between developers and Arizona cities.
At the heart of the debate lies the role and economic impact of Axon, a major Arizona company.
Proponents, including many Democratic lawmakers, argued that blocking the project could lead to Axon leaving Arizona, as hinted by the company's CEO. Axon initially purchased state trust land for a new headquarters building but later expanded the project to include the headquarters, a hotel, and approximately 2,000 apartment units.
The bill, which saw active lobbying from Axon and its CEO Rick Smith, now heads to the Senate for a vote and, if passed, would require the final approval of Governor Katie Hobbs.
Axon, which has been based in Scottsdale for 20 years, is a significant Arizona employer with a market capitalization of approximately $43 billion. In addition to its widely used Taser guns, the company manufactures police body cameras and generates revenue through video storage services.
Axon secured initial approval for the project from the Scottsdale City Council late last year. However, a newly composed city council majority opposed the development. This led a coalition of opponents to gather the necessary signatures to put the final approval to a vote in November 2026.
Axon, unwilling to accept these delays, sought a legislative solution from the state.
Representative Joseph Chaplik (R-Scottsdale) spearheaded the opposition in a heated debate on Wednesday, introducing several unsuccessful amendments to the bill.
Representative Alexander Kolodin (R-Scottsdale) warned that the bill sets a dangerous precedent by undermining the will of city residents who organized for a referendum. "Let's be clear what we are being asked to do today: we are being asked to cancel an election that the people of Scottsdale demanded, that the voters of Scottsdale demanded," he emphasized.
However, bill supporters countered that Axon and its new headquarters/apartment complex would be a significant economic driver for the entire state. "We need more apartments and more housing throughout the state," argued Representative David Livingston (R-Peoria). "We need more single-family and multi-family, and we need to make sure that companies continue to move to Arizona. We need to maintain funding in our transportation, and we need to make sure that headquarters stay here."
Emotions ran high during the debate, with all House members representing Scottsdale voting against the bill. House Speaker Ben Toma at one point cautioned lawmakers to refrain from excessive cross-talk.
Opponents, including Chaplik, attempted to stall the bill's progress using procedural tactics often employed by the minority Democratic party, but they were ultimately unsuccessful. The pressure from opponents continued through Thursday's vote.
The legislation is specifically written to apply only to Axon's development project.
Explaining his "no" vote, Chaplik stated, "I don't believe we should pass a bill for the benefit of one single company, nor should it target one specific city, which is Scottsdale." He added, "This is a bill for a special interest, and I will stand with my constituents who want an election in November of 2026."
However, Representative Tony Rivero (R-Peoria) argued that the Scottsdale City Council and Mayor had initially made an agreement with Axon, which the new council was now reneging on, justifying legislative intervention. "I believe that the leadership in that city let this company down," Rivero said. "I don't think we understand how big of a deal this is."
Rivero noted the high stakes involved, mentioning that the issue had garnered attention from other states. "The governor of Texas tweeted out, 'If Axon is not welcome in Arizona, we'll take them.' Same with Florida," he added.
Ultimately, he stressed the need to do everything possible to keep the company in Arizona. "There's a lot at stake. We're talking about economic development, thousands of jobs, billions of dollars being infused into our economy," Rivero concluded.
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