Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs says she’d sign Chase Field renovation bill ‘at this point’

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs maintained her support for a bill that would recapture sales taxes at Chase Field for renovations, telling KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce and Gaydos on Tuesday she’d sign it “at this point.”

Hobbs explained her office has been in contact with Phoenix, Maricopa County and the Arizona Diamondbacks as negotiations continue. HB2704 passed in the Arizona House of Representatives and is making its way through Senate committees.

“I think everyone wants to do what we can to keep the Diamondbacks here in Arizona, keep Major League Baseball in Arizona and I think we’re very close to an agreement,” Hobbs said.

"At this point, yes."

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs says she would sign a bill that would help the Arizona Diamondbacks recapture sales taxes to renovate Chase Field. @OutspokenKTAR @GovernorHobbs pic.twitter.com/a5pIE6qozI

— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) April 2, 2025

An amended version passed through the Senate finance committee last week, implementing a $500 million cap over the 30-year duration of the public-private partnership. Income taxes from team employees will no longer be redirected into the ballpark after the latest changes.

D-backs CEO and president Derrick Hall told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show afterward, “I really don’t want any more amendments but it’s bound to happen. There’s a lot of debate, a lot of give and take. I’m still very encouraged and hopeful.”

Detractors of the bill include Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego, who wrote a letter to Hobbs explaining her reservations about the taxpayer cost. Maricopa County moved from a neutral position to against the legislation after amendments increased the potential financial commitment from the county.

The bill was pulled from the Senate appropriations agenda for Tuesday by request of the Diamondbacks to negotiate, per Stacey Barchenger of AZCentral.com.

“Look, a big, big concern and one thing that we want to make sure happens in the bill is that it doesn’t harm the taxpayers,” Hobbs said. “That’s one of the things being worked out in the details.”

Hobbs did not elaborate on her conversations with the city, saying she has heard legitimate concerns.

“Look, if the Diamondbacks aren’t at Chase Field, there’s nobody paying taxes, right?” Hobbs added. “And so I think part of the details that are being worked out is the cap on those dollars that go back into the the stadium operation. I think that’s one of the details being worked out.”

The Diamondbacks’ lease at Chase Field, owned by the Maricopa County Stadium District, expires in 2027.

The club is looking for a public-private partnership to upgrade the ballpark, including the HVAC system, concrete, plumbing, electrical and a new scoreboard. The D-backs have said the ballpark needs $400-500 million and have pledged to invest $200-300 million of their own money into the projects.

Related

D-backs' Hall hopeful Chase Field bill will advance through SenatePhoenix mayor lists Chase Field renovation bill concerns in letter to Gov. Katie HobbsArizona House passes tax recapture bill for Chase Field, which moves to SenateDiamondbacks need to jumpstart offene to salvage series win vs. RockiesGeraldo Perdomo out of Diamondbacks’ lineup Tuesday with knee issueDiamondbacks avoid post-Dodgers letdown, clobber Rockies in Soroka’s return