Gallego introduces bill to discourage foreign firms from pumping Arizona groundwater
Mary Grace Grabill/Cronkite News
Ruben Gallego at the 2022 Arizona Democrats election party.
As Arizona tries to come to grips with its shrinking water supply, a Saudi alfalfa farm that grows crops here and ships them overseas has made headlines.
The practice is perfectly legal under state law.
But an Arizona congressman has introduced legislation that could discourage it.
Some officials have spoken out against the practice, including Attorney General Kris Mayes.
But so far, they have not been able to stop it.
Democrat U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, has introduced legislation that would tax water-intensive crops grown by foreign companies in areas experiencing prolonged drought.
Congressman Raul Grijalva, a Democrat who also serves on the committee, co-sponsored the legislation.
