Proposed Legislation

The Department has a small, but vital, agenda for the 49th Arizona Legislature, Second Regular Session beginning January 11, 2010. Among the issues are measures relating to:

Drought - Emergency groundwater transfer

This is an annual session law that allows the director to approve a transfer of groundwater from one groundwater basin to another if it is a true emergency, a drought has been declared by the Governor, and other conditions apply.

ADWR funding

A bill folder has been opened for the general purpose of reducing ADWR’s reliance on state General Fund appropriations. A stakeholder process that ADWR is currently engaged in will help shape the bill language. Draft language will be posted here when it is available in January.

ADWR continuation

This year, ADWR undertook a sunset review for the third time since the agency was created in 1980. In October, a committee of reference recommended that ADWR be continued for ten years. Legislative approval is required.

Other Legislation

Check with the website of the Arizona Water Banking Authority for information on a "water firming" proposal that will be submitted for legislative consideration. If enacted, the legislation will enable the water bank to acquire and store excess Central Arizona Project (CAP) water.