This weekly publication is available during the legislative session; for general legislative inquiries please visit azwater.gov 

 

Info 

Today is the 41st day of the 56th Legislature 1st Regular Session 

• All House and Senate bills which have not been heard in committee in their respective chamber of origin have been removed from the list below.   

Posted Committee Hearings 

 

• None at this time

Bill Summaries 

The following bills are being reviewed internally for impacts to the Department and the State’s water resources. If the Department has taken a position on a bill it will be noted. (The following list of bills is not a comprehensive list of bills ADWR Legislative Affairs is tracking.) 

House of Representatives 

 

HB 2022 - water resources; annual report

Sponsor: Rep. Timothy M. Dunn (R)

Summary: The deadline for the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) to provide the Governor and the Legislature with an annual operations report is moved to August 15 of each year, from July 1. The report must be made available to the public on the ADWR website.

Position: No position

Last Action: Passed 02/14/2023, 2:00 PM - House NREW, HHR 1

 

HB 2026 - Appropriation; on-farm efficiency fund

Sponsor: Rep. Timothy M. Dunn (R)

Summary: Appropriates $30 million from the general fund in FY2023-24 to the On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Fund.

Position: No position

Last Action: 02/08/2023 - Passed House APPROP

 

HB 2056 - Dry washes; permit program exemption

Sponsor: Rep. Lupe Diaz (R)

Summary: Declares that a dry wash, arroyo or other similar physical feature on private property that does not contain water is not a "water of Arizona," is exempt from the Dredge and Fill Permit Program, and is not a "water of the United States" under the federal Clean Water Act. 

Position: No position selected.

Last Action: 01/24/2023 Passed House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

 

HB 2217- appropriation; study; brackish water

Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin

Summary: Appropriates $50,000 for a study by the ADWR on brackish water within the state. 

Position: No position 

Last Action: Passed 1/31/23 House NREW, HHR 1 Natural Resources, Energy & Water (Amended)

 

HB 2286 - Appropriation; Little Colorado River levee

Sponsor: Rep. David L. Cook (R)

Summary: Appropriates $20 million from the general fund in FY2023-24 to the Arizona Department of Transportation to distribute to Navajo County to reconstruct the Little Colorado River levee at the City of Winslow. 

Position: No position 

Last Action: 2/20/2023 Held in Appropriations

 

HB 2411 - Water supply; elimination; reduction; damages

Sponsor: Rep. David L. Cook (R)

Summary: If a city provides water to customers outside of the city's service area before January 1, 2023 and reduces or terminates that service on or after January 1, 2023, the city is required to make the same reduction in or termination of the water supply to the Mayor and members of the City Council. If a city terminates water service in these circumstances, the city is liable, with respect to the persons whose water was terminated, for fire damage to personal property, health problems incurred by children as the result of the termination, and attorney fees. 

Position: No position 

Last Action: Passed (S/E amendment related to grazing leases) 02/15/2023, 2:00 PM - House TI, HHR 3

 

HB 2438 - Board of supervisors; powers; water

Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)

Summary: County boards of supervisors are authorized to participate in water reuse and recycling programs and regional wastewater recharge projects and related infrastructure. 

Position: No position

Last Action: Hearing Scheduled - 02/21/2023 - Third Reading, Floor

 

HB 2442 - Temporary non-expansion area

Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)

Summary: Establishes a process for irrigation users or registered voters to petition the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) for the designation of a temporary non-expansion area in any location not included in an active management area or an irrigation non-expansion area. The question of whether to designate a temporary non-expansion area must be approved by a majority of the voters who reside inside the boundaries of the proposed area. If a temporary non-expansion area is established, only acres of land that were irrigated at any time during the preceding five years may be irrigated with groundwater, and ADWR is prohibited from authorizing the drilling of a well in the area. 

Position: No position 

Last Action:

Last Action: Hearing Scheduled - 02/21/2023 - Third Reading, Floor

 

HB 2443 - Navigable stream adjudication commission; extension

Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)

Summary: The statutory life of the Arizona Navigable Stream Adjudication Commission is extended four years to July 1, 2028. 

Position: No position 

Last Action: Hearing Scheduled - 02/21/2023 - Third Reading, Floor

 

HB 2444 - Natural resource conservation districts; revisions

Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)

Summary: Various changes to statutes related to natural resource conservation districts. Establishes a Natural Resource Conservation District Fund and a 9-member Natural Resource Conservation District Fund Commission. Specifies Commission powers and duties, including awarding grant monies from the Fund to natural resource conservation districts to finance conservation programs in Arizona. Natural resource conservation districts are authorized to apply for, receive, and spend monies from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona. 

Position: No position 

Last Action: Hearing Scheduled - 02/21/2023 - Additional COW committee

 

HB 2448 - Appropriation; groundwater; Santa Rosa canal

Sponsor: Rep. Teresa Martinez (R)

Summary: Appropriates $25 million from the general fund in FY2023-24 to the Arizona Department of Water Resources to distribute equally between the irrigation districts that are constructing infrastructure to support the settlement between the Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation and Drainage District, the Central Arizona Irrigation and Drainage District, and the Ak-chin Indian Community  with respect to the delivery of groundwater by the districts by means other than the Santa Rosa Canal.

Position: No position

Last Action: Passed 02/15/2023, 2:00 PM - House APPROP, HHR 1

 

HB 2535 - private property; wells; regulation; prohibition

Sponsor: Rep. Austin Smith (R)

Summary: A well drilled on private property in an unincorporated area is not subject to municipal regulation if the unincorporated area where the well is located is annexed by a municipality after the well has been drilled. Any buildings or structures that require water from a well drilled on private property in an unincorporated area are not subject to municipal regulation if the unincorporated area where the well is located is annexed by a municipality after the well has been drilled.

Position: No position

Last Action: 2/21/2023 - Committee of the Whole, Floor

 

HB 2561 - City water provider; requirements; service

Sponsor: Rep. Alex Kolodin (R)

Summary: A municipality that provides water service is required to provide water service through a standpipe for water hauling to persons residing outside the municipality's water service area who do not have access to sufficient water if a list of specified conditions apply, including that the municipality previously provided water service to those persons and there is no other source of water for those persons within 10 miles of their households. Self-repeals January 1, 2026. Emergency clause.

Position: No position

Last Action: 02/7/23 Passed   - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

 

HB 2763 - appropriation; Mohave wash recharge basin

Sponsor: Rep. John Gillette (R)

Summary: Appropriates $4.37 million from the general fund in FY2023-24 to the Arizona Department of Transportation to distribute to Mohave County to design and construct the Mohave Wash recharge basin.

Position: No position

Last Action: Passed Appropriations Committee 2/20/23

 

HCM 2006 - Urging eradication; salt cedars; waterways

Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)

Summary: The Legislature urges the U.S. Congress to appropriate monies to the State of Arizona to eradicate salt cedars from Arizona waterways. The Legislature urges the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop innovative solutions to control the proliferation of salt cedars. The Secretary of State is directed to transmit copies of this memorial to the President of the U.S., the President of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker of the U.S. House, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and each member of Congress from Arizona.

Position: No position

Last Action: 02/21/2023 - Third Reading, Floor Scheduled

 

HCR 2012 - support; water management policies

Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)

Summary: The members of the Legislature continue the tradition of leadership and support for appropriate water management practices and policies that protect property and water rights and that provide for the continued safety and prosperity of the State of Arizona.

Position: No position 

Last Action: Passed w/ SE amendment 2/14/2023, 2:00 PM - House NREW, HHR 1

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Senate 

 

SB 1093 - City water provider; service; requirements

Sponsor: Sen. John Kavanagh (R)

Summary: A municipality that provides water service is required to provide water service through a standpipe for water hauling to persons residing outside the city's or town's water service area who do not have access to sufficient water if a list of specified conditions apply, including that the municipality previously provided water service to those persons and there is no other source of water for those persons within 10 miles of their households. Conditionally repealed on the persons acquiring access to sufficient water supplies or on January 1, 2026. 

Position: No position

Last Action: 02/14/2023 Passed - Senate Caucus

 

SB 1257 - water resources; assistant director

Sponsor: Sen. Warren Petersen (R)

Summary: The Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources is required to appoint an Assistant Director whose exclusive duties are coordinating with the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona and water users regarding projects that will augment water supplies through importation of water to Arizona from outside Arizona and projects that will increase Arizona's in-state water storage capacity.

Position: No position 

Last Action: 02/21/23 Scheduled Senate COW

 

SB 1321 - appropriation; Little Colorado River levee.

Sponsor: Sen. Theresa Hatathlie (D)

Summary: Appropriates $20 million from the general fund in FY2023-24 to the Arizona Department of Transportation to distribute to Navajo County to reconstruct the Little Colorado River levee at the City of Winslow.

Position: No position 

Last Action: 2/20/23 Passed Senate, transmitted to House

 

SB 1390 - Water Infrastructure Finance Authority; amendments

Sponsor: Sen. Sine Kerr (R)

Summary: : Various changes to statutes relating to the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA). WIFA is not a public service corporation subject to regulation by the Arizona Corporation Commission. The WIFA Board is authorized to prescribe the terms and conditions of the Directors and staff's employment as necessary, and is required to adopt written policies and guidelines regarding employee compensation and leave. WIFA employees may participate in the Arizona State Retirement System. The definition of "eligible entity" for loans from the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund is modified to mean a water provider that distributes or sells water outside of the boundaries of an initial active management area in which part of the Central Arizona Project aqueduct is located, instead of outside of the boundaries of an active management area located in Maricopa, Pima, or Pinal County. More. Emergency clause.

Position: No position

Last Action: Passed Senate NREW, SHR 2 with amendment

 

SB 1432 - assured water; small residential developments..

Sponsor: Sen. Justine Wadsack (R)

Summary: : A person seeking a building permit for six or more residences within an active management area in an unincorporated area of a county is required to obtain a certificate of assured water supply from the Arizona Department of Water Resources before presenting the permit application for approval to the county. Does not apply if the applicant has obtained a written commitment of water service for the residences from a municipal or private water company designated as having an assured water supply.

Position: No position 

Last Action:  Passed - 02/16/2023, 9:30 AM - Senate NREW, SHR 2

 

SB 1469 - appropriation; Page; water infrastructure projects

Sponsor: Sen. Theresa Hatathlie (D)

Summary: :Appropriates $41.9 million from the general fund in FY2023-24 to the Arizona Department of Water Resources to distribute to the City of Page for specified water infrastructure projects.

Position: No position 

Last Action:  Passed Senate NREW, 2/21 hearing in Appropriations. 

 

SB 1660 - water; effluent; credits

Sponsor: Sen. Sine Kerr (R)

Summary: :If a water and wastewater service provider that holds a certificate of convenience and necessity for the service area in which an industrial processing facility is located cannot or does not accept the entire discharging capacity of an otherwise lawful industrial processing facility, the industrial processing facility is authorized to construct and operate an on-site wastewater treatment facility for some or all of its wastewater. After treatment by the on-site wastewater treatment facility, the industrial processing facility is authorized to discharge its effluent to a constructed underground storage facility.

Position: No position 

Last Action:   2/20/23 Passed Senate Rules Committee