Rural communities will be getting more influence at the Arizona state Legislature this year. Two new committees are being added to the House for 2026.
The committees on rural development, and artificial intelligence and innovation will help shape how policymakers will make decisions in the state.
The Rural Economic Development Committee will aim to ensure rural Arizonans are considered in the development of future state policy. The committee will highlight issues like broadband internet access and housing in rural communities.
Rep. Teresa Martinez (R-Casa Grande) is the chair for the Rural Economic Development Committee.
“I think this is an opportunity for rural Arizona and the state of Arizona to finally meet, Martinez said. “You know, this is going to be the crossroads of where the counties and the cities and in the you know, unincorporated areas are going to be represented at the state House in Phoenix, Arizona, at the state Capitol.”
Martinez said the new committee will help bring the same consideration for policymaking to rural communities in Arizona that Phoenix and Tucson receive.
Martinez said the committee will hold field hearings to better understand what issue is pressing.
“We'll be able to go out to, you know, whether it be, you know, Navajo Nation, or whether it be Mojave County, or whether it be Yavapai or or Santa Cruz or La Paz County, and actually have hearings out there,” Martinez said. “Congress does a lot of that on a federal level.”
Martinez said broadband access is especially important in communities that depend on telehealth and have limited access to other health care.
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