Senator Wendy Rogers introduced SB 1426 because property owners across Arizona are facing a growing problem: illegal occupants taking over homes and properties while owners are left trapped in slow, expensive court processes. Current law often treats squatters as if they were lawful tenants, forcing owners to endure lengthy eviction proceedings even when the occupants never had permission to be there in the first place.
SB 1426 clarifies Arizona’s forcible entry and detainer laws to distinguish clearly between lawful tenants and unlawful occupants. The bill creates a faster, more direct process for property owners to regain possession when someone has entered or remains on property without legal right. This is especially important in cases where properties are vacant, under renovation, or owned by families who temporarily live elsewhere.
The bill also tightens timelines and procedures so courts can act quickly when illegal occupation is established. Property owners would no longer be required to navigate months of delays or excessive legal hurdles simply to reclaim what they lawfully own. At the same time, the bill preserves due process by requiring proper court findings before removal occurs.
Bill Info: https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2R/bills/SB1426P.htm