Arizona Squatter Crackdown Bill Heads To Governor With Broad Bipartisan Support

Legislation designed to speed the removal of unlawful occupants from private property has cleared the Arizona Legislature and now heads to Governor Katie Hobbs for consideration following broad bipartisan support.

Arizona Senate Bill 1426, sponsored by Senator Wendy Rogers (R-Flagstaff), would establish an expedited legal process allowing property owners to regain possession of property occupied by unauthorized individuals while preserving protections contained in Arizona’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

According to the Arizona Legislature’s bill overview, SB 1426 addresses “unlawful occupants” and forcible entry and detainer procedures involving individuals who are not lawful tenants or otherwise authorized to remain on a property. The measure was transmitted to the governor on May 26 following final legislative approval. 

In a post to X, Rogers wrote, “My Squatter Bill has now passed overwhelmingly out of both House and Senate. Standing by for the governor to sign. If you go on vacation and come home to SQUATTERS IN YOUR HOUSE, my bill now enables you to GET THEM OUT, PRONTO!”

My Squatter Bill has now passed overwhelmingly out of both House and Senate. Standing by for the governor to sign.

If you go on vacation and come home to SQUATTERS IN YOUR HOUSE, my bill now enables you to GET THEM OUT, PRONTO! pic.twitter.com/P8Vu0viqnu

— Wendy Rogers (@WendyRogersAZ) May 26, 2026

Arizona Senate Republicans said the legislation creates a clearer and faster process for removing unlawful occupants from private property.

According to the Senate Republican Caucus, the bill outlines when an individual may be considered an unauthorized occupant, including persons who are not tenants, immediate family members, or parties to an agreement with the property owner. The legislation also permits courts to issue writs of restitution immediately following judgment in qualifying cases and directs the Arizona Supreme Court to establish expedited procedures while preserving existing tenant protections under state law.

“Private property rights are not a suggestion; they are a cornerstone of our freedoms,” Rogers said in a statement released by the Senate Republican Caucus.

“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. That’s just common sense,” Rogers said. “Arizonans shouldn’t have to spend months fighting to reclaim property they already own.”

Legislative records indicate the measure advanced with broad support at multiple stages of the process. SB 1426 passed through committee and later received overwhelming support during final legislative action, with only limited opposition and several lawmakers not voting during the concurrence process.

The legislation follows earlier Arizona debates over squatting and unlawful occupancy. Previous anti-squatting legislation reached Hobbs’ desk in 2024 but faced criticism from some lawmakers and housing advocates who warned expedited removal procedures could create due process concerns or potentially affect lawful tenants and domestic violence victims, according to 12News and Hobbs’ veto explanation. Supporters argued those measures contained safeguards for lawful occupants while giving homeowners faster recourse against unlawful occupancy. 

Hobbs has not yet publicly indicated whether she will sign or veto SB 1426.