PHOENIX — Arizona lawmakers just sent Gov. Katie Hobbs a Republican-backed property rights bill aimed at speeding up the removal of unlawful occupants from private homes. Senate Bill SB1426 forces Hobbs to decide on a proposal supporters say is crucial to closing legal loopholes, making the removal of “squatters” more difficult.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, cleared the Legislature on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, and is now headed to the governor’s desk. SB1426 would create a more clearly defined process for property owners to remove unauthorized occupants, including people who are not tenants, immediate family members, or parties to an agreement with the owner.
The measure would also allow courts to issue writs of restitution immediately after a judgment in qualifying cases, rather than forcing homeowners to wait a prolonged period before they can recover possession of their property. It directs the Arizona Supreme Court to establish expedited procedures for those cases while preserving existing protections under the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
“Private property rights are not a suggestion; they are a cornerstone of our freedoms,” Rogers said. “If someone breaks into your home, moves into your property, and refuses to leave, the law should stand with the homeowner, not the unlawful occupant.”
Rogers said the bill has been “years in the making” and was developed with stakeholders, lawmakers, and law enforcement. She argued that the proposal addresses real-world delays that leave homeowners spending months trying to reclaim property they already own.
The legislation reflects a broader Republican push this session to frame housing and property disputes through the lens of homeowner protection, public safety, and court efficiency. Supporters contend the bill is narrowly written to distinguish squatters from legitimate tenants, family members, or people with a legal claim to occupy a home.
Its impact, if signed, would likely be felt first in local justice courts, where expedited rules could shorten the timeline between a court judgment and physical removal. For Hobbs, the bill presents a politically sensitive choice: whether to sign a property-rights measure with broad public appeal or to reject the initiative that supporters are already portraying as a common-sense protection for Arizona homeowners, in an effort to prevent a perceived GOP win. Given Hobbs’ recent veto record and the politics of an election year, it’s hard to predict what the Democrat Governor will do.