Arizona House Advances ‘Freedom To Move’ Ballot Initiative

By Matthew Holloway |

In a significant legislative move, a bill aimed at amending the Arizona Constitution to prevent state and local governments from tracking, taxing, or limiting vehicle miles traveled has advanced out of a House committee. The proposal, known as HCR2035, now awaits a vote on the Arizona House floor. If it gains approval from both the House and Senate, it will bypass Governor Katie Hobbs and head directly to the ballot for voter consideration.

Scot Mussi, President of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club (AZFEC), expressed strong support for the bill, stating that unchecked government actions could lead to burdensome regulations on citizens’ transportation. He argued that these “radical attempts” have no place in a free society, emphasizing the need for proactive measures by the Republican-led Legislature to protect residents from potentially authoritarian policies.

The AZFEC has been vocal about its concerns over government-imposed vehicle mileage regulations, referencing national trends and specific programs like the VMT tax included in the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act. Mussi indicated that HCR2035 stands as a crucial safeguard against such initiatives.

Notably, the AZFEC described HCR2035 as pioneering in its scope, as it seeks to constitutionally block any government attempts at imposing a Vehicle Miles Traveled tax or monitoring individual travel, regardless of whether vehicles are gas-powered or electric. Should it pass both legislative chambers, the measure will be sent to the Secretary of State for inclusion on the November 2026 General Election ballot.

In parallel developments, the Senate Government Committee has already moved a related measure, SCR1004, forward in January, which now awaits a Senate floor vote. The Arizona chapter of the Republican Liberty Caucus has endorsed both SCR1004 and SB1092, noting their complementary objectives.

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories.