kjzz.org · September 5, 2026
Arizona Republican lawmakers request more frequent briefings on Colorado River
# Arizona Republican lawmakers request more frequent briefings on Colorado River
KJZZ | By Camryn Sanchez
Published September 5, 2026 at 9:08 AM MST
Alex Hager / KJZZ
A man runs along the Eastern Canal in Gilbert, Arizona on August 26, 2026.
Arizona Republican state lawmakers want the state’s water agency to keep them apprised of all Colorado River negotiations, indicating that the governor is getting more updates than them.
Gov. Katie Hobbs plans to call a special session gathering of the Legislature to vote on a water-sharing agreement between Arizona, Nevada and California.
The state’s chief negotiator in Colorado River talks is Tom Buschatzke, the director of the Department of Water Resources.
Buschatzke was appointed by Hobbs, and she has authority over the agency.
A handful of leaders in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives sent a letter to Buschatzke on Friday requesting regular meetings at least once a week going forward.
The lawmakers who signed on to the letter are Reps. Gail Griffin (R-Hereford), Chris Lopez (R-Casa Grande) and Neal Carter (R-Queen Creek).
They wrote they feel entitled to get the same briefing as Hobbs “free from any filters or withholding of information.”
ADWR declined to comment on the letter.