The city of Scottsdale is urging Governor Katie Hobbs to veto Senate Bill 1543 - the so-called "Axon bill," which was passed by the Legislature on April 15.

This piece of legislation eliminates the ability for many Arizona residents to exercise their right to refer a City Council zoning decision to the ballot and erases the effort of tens of thousands of Scottsdale residents who want the city’s voters to decide on Axon’s expanded proposal. This bill affects Scottsdale and other communities with similar population sizes.

In a letter to Governor Hobbs, the city stressed the broad negative impact of this legislation on communities across Arizona.

"SB 1543 poses a serious threat to local democracy,” the letter states. “It preempts the authority of local governments - elected by and accountable to their communities - to make decisions about planning, zoning, and development. By removing these decisions from the hands of local residents and their representatives, this legislation bypasses the democratic process and sets a dangerous precedent."

Background
A new corporate headquarters for Axon was approved by the Scottsdale City Council in 2020 – this approval remains in place. Several years after the headquarters was approved, the company brought forward an expanded campus proposal which includes nearly 2,000 multifamily residential units, 400 + hotel rooms and about 47,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. That proposal was approved by the Scottsdale City Council in November 2024.

Through a longstanding democratic process, nearly 27,000 residents signed a petition which would put the City Council's decision regarding Axon's additional expanded campus on a future ballot for the city’s voters to decide. This would not affect Axon’s previously approved corporate headquarters project.

Senate Bill 1543 retroactively erases that work, and it erases that important referendum process, overriding local zoning authority and the rights of residents.

Next steps
In addition to requesting Governor Hobbs veto SB 1543, the city is considering every possible action to uphold the rights of its residents and retain local zoning authority.

Scottsdale residents and voters from across the state who are concerned about the impact of this legislation are urged to contact the Governor’s Office to express your opinion.