FOR THE WEEK ENDING ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025
This weekly publication is available during the legislative session. For general legislative inquiries, please visit azwater.gov.
INFORMATION
Today is the 40th day of the 57th Legislature, 1st Regular Session.
- The last day for bills to be heard in the chamber of origin is today, February 21.
- The last day for bill consideration in committee is Friday, March 28.
POSTED COMMITTEE HEARINGS
- Senate Natural Resources - Not meeting next week
- N/A
- House NREW - Not meeting next week
- N/A
BILL SUMMARIES
The following bills were 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 2056 - geoengineering; prohibition
Sponsor: Rep. Lisa Fink (R)
Summary: Prohibits any person, including government agencies, research projects, universities, organizations, and military forces, from engaging in geoengineering activities in Arizona. Requires ADEQ to investigate credible reports of geoengineering and initiate emergency measures if necessary to determine whether geoengineering has occurred. Establishes a mandatory public reporting process for evidence of geoengineering and assigns penalties, including a class 4 (lower mid-level) felony and civil fines of at least $500,000 per violation, with each day of violation considered a separate offense. Statute regulating weather control and cloud modification is repealed.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 3, 2025 - Further referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2073 - watersheds; beneficial use; instream flows
Sponsor: Rep. Stacey Travers (D)
Summary: Authorizes the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to acquire and lease surface water rights for watershed health and instream uses and allows monies in the State Lottery Fund to be used for this purpose. Requires ADWR to assess and report on the health of watersheds across the state every three years.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 13, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2087 - appropriation; groundwater recharge facilities; maintenance
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: Appropriates an unspecified amount from the state general fund in FY2025-26 to an unspecified department to clean and restore artificial groundwater recharge facilities.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: Scheduled for House Appropriations hearing - Feb 24, 2025 10:00AM
HB 2088 - subsequent AMA; director; removal
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: Requires the Director of ADWR to review areas included in subsequent active management areas (AMAs) to determine whether they still meet the criteria for such designation. If an area no longer meets these criteria, the Director may remove the AMA designation. Establishes procedures for public hearings regarding the removal of AMA designations.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 10, 2025 - Transmit to Senate
HB 2089 - subsequent AMA; voters; removal
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: Modifies procedures for designating and removing subsequent active management areas (AMAs) for groundwater basins. After 10 years, registered voters residing in a designated subsequent AMA may file petitions to remove its designation. The county board of supervisors is required to forward petitions to the Director of the Department of Water Resources, who must examine groundwater conditions and either declare the AMA necessary or allow for an election to decide its removal. Election procedures and responsibilities for costs are outlined, including conditions for multi-county AMAs.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 11, 2025 - Transmit to Senate
HB 2103 - appropriation; Colorado River Compact, defense
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: Appropriates $1 million from the state general fund in FY2025-26 to the Department of Water Resources to defend Arizona's allocation of Colorado River water under the Colorado River Compact of 1922.
Position: Support
Last Action: February 12, 2025 - Transmit to Senate
HB 2162 - reporting; groundwater pumping; measuring
Sponsor: Rep. Quantá Crews (D)
Summary: A person who withdraws ten or fewer acre-feet of groundwater per year from a nonexempt well for a non-irrigation use is not required to use a water measuring device to measure withdrawals from that well. A person who withdraws groundwater from a nonexempt well for an irrigation use is not required to use a water measuring device to measure withdrawals from that well if the groundwater is used only on land owned by a person who has the right to irrigate ten or fewer contiguous acres at the place of use, and is not used on land that is part of an integrated farming operation.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 15, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2202 - subsequent AMA; previously nonirrigated land
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: Allows irrigation in subsequent active management areas for land that was not previously irrigated if the land is adjacent to a previously irrigated parcel, and the irrigation would not cause the person to exceed the groundwater volume allowed by the irrigation grandfathered rights. Retroactive to August 30, 2022.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 11, 2025 - Transmit to Senate
HB 2203 - historical water use; subsequent AMA
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: For irrigated land to receive grandfathered irrigation rights when the land become part of a subsequent active management area (AMA), the land must have been legally irrigated at any time during the ten years, increased from five years, preceding the date of the notice of the initiation of designation procedures for the AMA. The calculations for the amount of grandfathered irrigation rights are also changed to refer to the previous ten years instead of five years. Retroactive to August 30, 2022.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 11, 2025 - Transmit to Senate
HB 2204 - assured water supply; commingling
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: When determining an assured water supply, the Director of ADWR is allowed to consider only the proposed source(s) of water dedicated to a specific use, even if the supply is distributed through a commingled system. The ADWR Director is prohibited from requiring a subdivider applying for a certificate of assured water supply or commitment of water service to procure or dedicate more water than 100 percent of the amount needed for the subdivider's proposed use.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 14, 2025 - Passed House Natural Resources, Energy & Water with amendment
HB 2246 - appropriation; irrigation grandfathered rights; retirement
Sponsor: Rep. Christopher Mathis (D)
Summary: Appropriates $50 million from the Long-Term Water Augmentation Fund in FY2025-26 to ADWR to compensate holders of irrigation grandfathered rights for permanently retiring or reducing their water usage. Requires ADWR to begin purchasing and retiring these rights by December 31, 2025.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water / Appropriations
HB 2248 - well drilling application; location; GPS
Sponsor: Rep. Christopher Mathis (D)
Summary: Requires the inclusion of Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of the location of the well to be included in the notice of intention to drill a well.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2253 - water efficient plumbing fixtures
Sponsor: Rep. Christopher Mathis (D)
Summary: Prohibits, beginning January 1, 2027, the sale, distribution, or installation of plumbing fixtures in new or existing residential, commercial, industrial, or public construction unless the fixture is a WaterSense-labeled fixture or meets or exceeds the water efficiency criteria established before January 1, 2027 by the WaterSense program. Some exceptions. Effective January 1, 2027.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2258 - groundwater replenishment; qualification; subbasin
Sponsor: Rep. Christopher Mathis (D)
Summary: Multi-county water conservation districts are authorized to determine if new real property or service areas do not qualify as member land or member service areas. Beginning January 1, 2030, groundwater replenishment for member lands or service areas must occur within the same subbasin where groundwater is withdrawn.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2270 - groundwater model; stormwater recharge; AMAs
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: Requires ADWR to adopt updated rules for groundwater modeling in Active Management Areas (AMAs). The updated rules must account for stormwater recharge from new or existing infrastructure. ADWR is required to update the groundwater model for AMAs annually to reflect new recharge data.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 20, 2025 - Transmit to Senate
HB 2271 - supply and demand; assessment; groundwater
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: Establishes a list of information that the director of ADWR must include in the five-year supply and demand assessment for all groundwater basins.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 20, 2025 - Passed House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2272 - municipal separate storm sewer system
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: Deletes the definition of "county" in statute authorizing counties operating regulated small municipal separate storm sewer systems to adopt and enforce ordinances, rules, or regulations necessary to comply with the federal Clean Water Act or Arizona statutes.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 20, 2025 - House COW passed amended
HB 2274 - technical correction; assured water supply
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: Striker - water improvement district; Willcox basin
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 18, 2025 - Passed House Natural Resources, Energy & Water w/ amendment
HB 2297 - designation; assured water supply; offset
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: For a new application for a designation of assured water supply in an active management area (AMA), the Director of ADWR is required to deem groundwater and stored water recovered outside the area of impact as physically available when determining assured water supply designations under specified conditions. Establishes calculation methods for volumes of groundwater and stored water in such designations and limits their inclusion in AMAs. Authorizes modifications to assured water supply designations, provided additional water supplies meet specified criteria. Specifies financial capability requirements for applicants, including construction or funding of adequate delivery, storage, and treatment facilities. Restricts the use of extinguishment credits to subdivisions specified in the application.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 14, 2025 - Passed House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2298 - technical correction; management goals; AMAs
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: Striker - physical availability exemption credit; groundwater
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 20, 2025 - Passed House Natural Resources, Energy & Water w/ amendment
HB 2299 - assured water supply; certificate; model
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: Requires ADWR to review applications for certificates of assured water supply in the Phoenix Active Management Area submitted between January 26, 2021, and May 31, 2023, that were denied or not yet granted as of the effective date. Requires determinations to be based on specific groundwater flow models or financial data submitted by the applicants. Eligible applicants must request reviews within 90 days.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 14, 2025 - Passed House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2408 - DWR; compact call; curtailment; appropriation
Sponsor: Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R)
Summary: Authorizes the Director of ADWR to initiate actions to protect and enforce Arizona's rights under the Colorado River Compact of 1922, including curtailment proceedings. Appropriates $1 million from the Long-Term Water Augmentation Fund in FY2024-25 to ADWR for this purpose.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 22, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water / Appropriations
HB 2412 - augmentation; Phoenix; Pinal; Tucson; AMA
Sponsor: Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R)
Summary: Authorizes the use of monies in the Long-Term Water Augmentation Fund to fund projects that create new water sources within Arizona and to purchase new water created within Arizona or rights to that water. Requires at least 75 percent of Fund monies to be allocated for water development projects benefiting end users in the Phoenix, Pinal, and Tucson Active Management Areas.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 22, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2413 - effluent; proportional share; recharge; compensation
Sponsor: Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R)
Summary: Requires municipal water providers operating within active management areas (AMAs) with a groundwater management goal of safe yield to compensate eligible customers for a proportional share of the full market value of effluent produced from wastewater that is not recharged into the customers’ AMA. Eligible customers may challenge proportional share determinations via a complaint to the Director of ADWR or a private right of action in state court. If ADWR or a court finds that a municipal provider undercompensated a customer, the provider is liable for damages, attorney fees, and interest.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 14, 2025 - Held in House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2414 - remedial groundwater incentives; PFAS
Sponsor: Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R)
Summary: The Director of ADWR may annually deem up to 65,000 acre-feet of remedial groundwater withdrawn under approved remediation projects as consistent with active management area goals. Excludes small annual withdrawals (250 acre-feet or less) from assured water supply calculations and replenishment obligations. Requires separate metering and reporting for remedial groundwater and sets conditions for usage notices to ADWR. Requires ADWR to begin accepting applications within 90 days after the effective date of this legislation for the remedial groundwater program established by this legislation.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 14, 2025 - Held in House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2415 - basin-fill aquifers; groundwater; correlative rights
Sponsor: Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R)
Summary: Allows landowners with irrigation grandfathered rights in active management areas to permanently retire irrigated land and retain a physical availability credit. This credit permits the withdrawal or receipt of groundwater for non-irrigation use under specified conditions. Establishes criteria for calculating the allowable groundwater withdrawal and its application for assured water supply certificates or designations. The Director is required to include such groundwater calculations in determining physical availability and consistency with management goals.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 22, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2477 - state lands; leases; groundwater use
Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton (D)
Summary: The State Land Department (SLD) is required to establish by rule an annual groundwater withdrawal fee for lessees of state land that is agricultural land located outside of an active management area or an irrigation non-expansion area. Requires lessees to annually report to SLD information about the location of the well, quantity of groundwater withdrawn, and specific uses of the groundwater.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2478 - subsequent irrigation; non-expansion areas; procedures
Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton (D)
Summary: Establishes requirements for signers of a petition to designate a subsequent irrigation non-expansion area. A petition must be submitted within one year after the county recorder issues it to the petitioners, and must be accompanied by a hydrologic report and numeric groundwater flow model. A decision by ADWR that a petition does not comply with these requirements is an appealable agency action under the Administrative Procedures Act.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2479 - subsequent active management areas; designation
Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton (D)
Summary: The Director of ADWR is required, instead of allowed, to designate an area not currently within an active management area as a subsequent active management area if it meets specified criteria.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2480 - watershed health; use; survey
Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton (D)
Summary: By December 31, 2027, ADWR is required to publish a preliminary survey of the status of waters in Arizona, including watershed health and recommended statutory changes. By December 31 every three years after the initial preliminary survey of groundwater basins already required in statute, ADWR is required to issue a report that includes an assessment of the overall health of each watershed in Arizona.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2481 - adequate water supply; statewide requirements
Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton (D)
Summary: Counties and municipalities can only approve a subdivision if the subdivider has obtained either a water report from ADWR that there is an adequate water supply for the subdivision or a written commitment of water service for the subdivision from a municipal or private water company designated as having an adequate water supply. The State Real Estate Commissioner can only issue a public report authorizing the sale or lease of subdivided lands if either ADWR has issued a water report that there is an adequate water supply for the subdivision or the subdivider has a written commitment of water service for the subdivision from a municipal or private water company designated as having an adequate water supply. Statutes authorizing exemptions from adequate water supply requirements are repealed.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2485 - land division; application; attestation
Sponsor: Rep. Christopher Mathis (D)
Summary: Requires additional disclosures and attestations from applicants when applying for land divisions or minor lot splits. Applicants for a land division must disclose ownership interests in the property and any divisions within the last ten years. Applications must also include an attestation acknowledging compliance with state subdivision laws and understanding public report requirements if intending to sell or lease subdivided parcels. Also, an applicant for a building permit for a single-family residential home within a subdivision is required to include an approved public report if the property owner owns six or more properties in the parent parcel or is a subdivider and intends to create a subdivision.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2487 - multifamily property; water; certificate
Sponsor: Rep. Christopher Mathis (D)
Summary: Requires individuals or entities seeking building permits for six or more detached single-family residences, multifamily residential properties, or condominiums in active management areas to obtain a certificate of assured water supply or a written commitment of water service from a designated provider before submitting permit applications, except for applications submitted on or before September 30, 2024. Multi-county water conservation districts are required to levy a one-time activation fee for residential lease communities and condominiums constructed in active management areas enrolled after January 1, 2026.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2548 - subsequent AMA; designation; petition; election
Sponsor: Rep. Lupe Diaz (R)
Summary: Requires voter approval in a local election before designating a groundwater basin as a subsequent active management area. Specifies procedures for public hearings, petitions, and elections to establish or expand active management areas. The Director of ADWR cannot designate a basin as an active management area without majority voter approval. Retroactive to December 19, 2024.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 20, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2549 - appropriation; subsequent AMA; assistance grants
Sponsor: Rep. Lupe Diaz (R)
Summary: Appropriates $3 million from the state general fund in FY2025-26 to the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona for financial assistance grants to landowners in groundwater basins designated as subsequent active management areas. The grants can be used to challenge the designation of such areas or the management goals set by ADWR.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 28, 2025 - Held in House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2550 - department of water resources; review
Sponsor: Rep. Lupe Diaz (R)
Summary: ADWR terminates on July 1, 2026, instead of July 1, 2028.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 20, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2551 - grandfathered right; Willcox AMA; extension
Sponsor: Rep. Lupe Diaz (R)
Summary: Extends the application period for individuals claiming a grandfathered groundwater right in the Willcox Active Management Area to 21 months after the area's designation. Retroactive to January 8, 2025.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 10, 2025 - Transmit to Senate
HB 2567 - replenishment obligation; one hundred-year period
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: Allows multi-county water conservation districts to acquire, hold, exchange, own, lease, or purchase sufficient water or rights to fulfill its expected replenishment obligation for the next 100 years.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 20, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2568 - conservation requirements; industrial water use
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: By January 1, 2026, ADWR is required to include conservation requirements for certain industrial water uses in active management area management plans. Applies to facilities using over 100 acre-feet of water per year that are not currently subject to specific conservation measures beyond efficiency improvement plans. Prohibits management plans from requiring industrial users to obtain assured water supply certificates, develop within certain municipal provider areas, or meet replenishment obligations.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 14, 2025 - Passed House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2569 - certificate; residential lease community; water
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: Before applying for a building permit for residential dwellings located in a community with six or more detached single-family residences within an active management area where any portion of the Central Arizona Project aqueduct is located, an applicant is required to get a certificate of assured water supply from ADWR or a written agreement for water service from a municipality or water company designated as having as assured water supply. Counties and municipalities cannot approve building permits that have not complied with this requirement. Does not apply to applications submitted on or before September 30, 2025. Multi-county water conservation districts are required to levy a onetime activation fee against each housing unit to be constructed within residential lease communities within member lands and member service areas that are enrolled on or after January 1, 2025.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 20, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2570 - temporary non-expansion area
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: Establishes procedures for designating temporary non-expansion areas for groundwater use outside active management or irrigation non-expansion areas. Requires elections to confirm designation of temporary non-expansion areas and restricts irrigation and groundwater withdrawal to historic levels for ten years. Limits irrigation within these areas to land irrigated in the prior ten years. Prohibits drilling new wells in such areas except for specific exemptions, including replacement wells and recovery wells. Requires ADWR to review and report on groundwater levels after ten years.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 10, 2025 - Transmit to Senate
HB 2571 - stormwater infrastructure; groundwater recharge; credit
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: Authorizes individuals and entities to earn physical availability credits for developing stormwater infrastructure within active management areas that increases natural, incidental, or artificial groundwater recharge. Credits are limited to the volume of recharge over 100 years and may be used to meet assured water supply requirements. By January 1, 2026, ADWR is required to establish rules for eligible infrastructure, with criteria for certification and quantification of credits. Applicants for credits are exempt from storage facility permit requirements.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 20, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2572 - technical correction; groundwater rights; AMAs
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Griffin (R)
Summary: Striker - groundwater; plants; wine grapes; non-irrigation
Position: Neutral
Last Action: Scheduled for House Natural Resources, Energy & Water hearing - Feb 14, 2025 09:00AM
HB 2644 - rainwater harvesting; appropriation
Sponsor: Rep. Sarah Liguori (D)
Summary: Expands the purposes of the Water Conservation Grant Fund to include support for rainwater harvesting programs and establishes a Rainwater Harvesting Program under the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority. Authorizes grants for installing passive and active rainwater collection systems, with reimbursement limits based on the project type and capacity of rain storage tanks. Specifies eligibility requirements, permissible costs, and costs excluded from reimbursement. Appropriates an unspecified amount from the state general fund in FY2025-26 to the Water Conservation Grant Fund to implement the Program.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water / Appropriations
HB 2697 - water; residential lease communities
Sponsor: Rep. Selina Bliss (R)
Summary: Prohibits municipalities and counties from approving building permits for detached residential dwelling units in "residential lease communities" (defined) within initial active management areas unless the units have obtained a certificate of assured water supply or a written commitment of water service from a designated city, town, or private water company. Exempts residential lease communities with zoning entitlements on or before September 30, 2025.
Position: Support
Last Action: January 29, 2025 - Referred to House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2714 - rural groundwater management areas; establishment
Sponsor: Rep. Christopher Mathis (D)
Summary: Establishes a process to designate Rural Groundwater Management Areas (RGMA) and grants local authorities the ability to impose water adequacy requirements within an RGMA. Establishes five initial RGMAs on the effective date of this legislation: Gila Bend, Hualapai Valley, Ranegras Plain, San Simon Valley, and Willcox. Restricts county boards of supervisors from approving subdivision plats in an RGMA unless ADWR determines an adequate water supply or the subdivider secures a written commitment for water service. Requires additional water adequacy documentation in real estate transactions and public reports for subdivisions and timeshare developments in an RGMA. The existing Willcox Active Management Area is repealed and supplanted by the Willcox RGMA on the effective date of this legislation.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 29, 2025 - Bill introduced
HB 2727 - county water authority; post-2024 authority
Sponsor: Rep. Leo Biasiucci (R)
Summary: Expands the authority of county water authorities formed after December 31, 2024, to include acquiring and managing additional water sources beyond Colorado River water, including groundwater, effluent, and other water resources. Modifies the structure and membership requirements of county water authorities. Establishes new financial and administrative frameworks for post-2024 authorities, including revised budgeting, dues collection, and fund management processes.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 20, 2025 - Passed House Natural Resources, Energy & Water w/ amendment
HB 2729 - online exchange; groundwater sales
Sponsor: Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R)
Summary: Requires ADWR to create an online water exchange marketplace for buying, selling, leasing, and transferring groundwater rights within the Phoenix, Tucson, and Pinal Active Management Areas. Allows individuals with grandfathered groundwater rights to sell or lease their rights within the same subbasin, subject to reporting requirements. Requires sellers and lessors to notify ADWR of transaction details, including price, location, and volume of groundwater transferred. Limits buyers and lessees to withdrawing only 65 percent of the groundwater right conveyed, with the remaining 35 percent retired from use. Exempts groundwater conveyed under this system from replenishment obligations and certain municipal groundwater use restrictions.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 3, 2025 - Bill introduced
HB 2731 - Big Chino subbasin; Verde River
Sponsor: Rep. Quang Nguyen (R)
Summary: Allows cities and towns that own historically irrigated land in the Big Chino Subbasin of the Verde River groundwater basin to withdraw and transport groundwater to the headwaters of the Verde River within the Big Chino Subbasin.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 20, 2025 - Held in House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
HB 2753 - groundwater replenishment; Pinal AMA
Sponsor: Rep. Theresa Martinez (R)
Summary: Requires the Central Arizona Water Conservation District to replenish groundwater in the Pinal Active Management Area (AMA) within three years of incurring a replenishment obligation. Allows municipal providers applying for a new assured water supply designation in the Pinal AMA to elect whether member land parcels within their service areas retain a replenishment obligation. Requires ADWR to amend rules incorporating extinguishment credits and groundwater allowances associated with member lands in a designation of assured water supply by January 1, 2026.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 20, 2025 - Passed House Natural Resources, Energy & Water w/ amendment
HB 2776 - rural water sustainability fund; appropriation
Sponsor: Rep. Christopher Mathis (D)
Summary: Establishes the Rural Watershed Sustainability Initiative Fund, to be administered by ADWR and used to provide grants to local watershed groups in rural areas to fund administrative and operational needs. Requires ADWR to prioritize funding for watershed groups with clear water conservation goals and those operating in high-risk or critically depleted groundwater basins. Appropriates $500,000 from the state general fund in FY2025-26 to the Fund.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 6, 2025 - Bill introduced
HB 2826 - irrigation districts; water distribution
Sponsor: Rep. Julie Willoughby (R)
Summary: Makes various changes to statutes governing irrigation and water conservation districts. Expands the distribution of district water to include municipalities within district boundaries that have contractual entitlements. Requires districts to publish an annual report detailing water sources, distribution, and any deliveries made outside the district. Beginning in tax year 2025, municipal customers in the district are entitled to a refund for water taxes paid in years when water was available but not delivered. Prohibits districts from accumulating water credits unless they first fulfill all obligations to lands and municipalities entitled to water within their boundaries.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 10, 2025 - Bill introduced
SENATE
SB 1088 - ADWR; hydrology reports
Sponsor: Sen. Jake Hoffman (R)
Summary: Requires the Governor and the Director of ADWR to submit hydrology reports on active management areas and related topics to the Senate Natural Resources Committee and the House of Representatives Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee, or their successor committees, at least 30 days before publication.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 20, 2025 - Passed Senate Government w/ amendment
SB 1114 - assured water supply; analysis; availability
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Dunn (R)
Summary: Requires the Director of ADWR to accept certain analyses conducted before May 31, 2023, as valid demonstrations of physical groundwater availability for issuing certificates of assured water supply. Permits applicants holding such analyses to reduce groundwater volumes by 15 percent when applying for new certificates. The Director of ADWR is required to issue certificates based on water demand assumptions used at the time the analysis was originally conducted.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 24, 2025 - Placed on Senate Committee of the Whole calendar
SB 1115 - demand calculator; rules; conservation code
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Dunn (R)
Summary: Requires the Director of ADWR to adopt rules to update the project demand calculator every five years, incorporating the latest conservation codes. Allows expedited rulemaking procedures for implementing these updates.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 11, 2025 - Transmit to House
SB 1116 - groundwater model; receipt; written findings
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Dunn (R)
Summary: Requires the Director of ADWR to notify the submitter within 5 days of receiving an alternative groundwater model. Within 60 days of receipt, the Director must issue a written response detailing acceptance or rejection of the model's overall findings and specific findings, including rationale for any rejections.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 24, 2026 - Placed on Senate Committee of the Whole calendar
SB 1134 - ADWR; application; review; time frames
Sponsor: Sen. Thomas “TJ” Shope (R)
Summary: Requires ADWR to complete administrative completeness reviews for applications for new or modified certificates, designations, or analyses of assured water supply within 90 days or less. ADWR must complete substantive reviews within 30 days or less, and the overall processing time frame cannot exceed 120 days.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 9, 2025 - Placed on Senate Committee of the Whole calendar
SB 1236 - government anti-identification procedures; technical correction
Sponsor: Sen. Warren Petersen (R)
Summary: Striker - storm water
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 18, 2025 - Passed Senate Natural Resources w/ amendment
SB 1248 - state lands; leases; groundwater use
Sponsor: Sen. Priya Sundareshan (D)
Summary: The State Land Department (SLD) is required to establish by rule an annual groundwater withdrawal fee for lessees of state land that is agricultural land located outside of an active management area or an irrigation non-expansion area. Requires lessees to annually report to SLD information about the location of the well, quantity of groundwater withdrawn, and specific uses of the groundwater.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to Senate Natural Resources
SB 1249 - groundwater pumping; measuring; reporting
Sponsor: Sen. Priya Sundareshan (D)
Summary: Requires a person who withdraws groundwater from a nonexempt well in all areas of Arizona to use a water-measuring device, with some exceptions. Expands annual groundwater reporting requirements to include nonexempt wells outside active management and irrigation non-expansion areas, with some exceptions. Exceptions to both of these requirements apply to a person who withdraws ten or fewer acre-feet of groundwater per year from a nonexempt well for a non-irrigation use, or a person who withdraws groundwater from a nonexempt well for an irrigation use if the groundwater is used only on land owned by a person who has the right to irrigate ten or fewer contiguous acres at the place of use, and is not used on land that is part of an integrated farming operation.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to Senate Natural Resources
SB 1250 - aquifer management; conservation; priority
Sponsor: Sen. Priya Sundareshan (D)
Summary: ADWR if required to prioritize the conservation and maintenance of aquifers in Arizona and subsequently prioritize the protection of consumers and other uses.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to Senate Natural Resources
SB 1251 - long-term storage accounts; credits; percentage
Sponsor: Sen. Priya Sundareshan (D)
Summary: Reduces the credit that ADWR must credit to a storer's long-term storage account to 70 percent of recoverable water stored, from 95 percent.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to Senate Natural Resources
SB 1252 - watershed health; survey; use
Sponsor: Sen. Priya Sundareshan (D)
Summary: By December 31, 2025, ADWR is required to publish a preliminary survey of the status of waters in Arizona, including watershed health and recommended statutory changes. By December 31 every three years after the initial preliminary survey of groundwater basins already required in statute, ADWR is required to issue a report that includes an assessment of the overall health of each watershed in Arizona.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to Senate Natural Resources
SB 1253 - subsequent irrigation; non-expansion area; designation
Sponsor: Sen. Priya Sundareshan (D)
Summary: Establishes requirements for signers of a petition to designate a subsequent irrigation non-expansion area. A petition must be submitted within one year after the county recorder issues it to the petitioners, and must be accompanied by a hydrologic report and numeric groundwater flow model. A decision by ADWR that a petition does not comply with these requirements is an appealable agency action under the Administrative Procedures Act.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to Senate Natural Resources
SB 1254 - subsequent active management area; designation
Sponsor: Sen. Priya Sundareshan (D)
Summary: The Director of ADWR is required, instead of allowed, to designate an area not currently within an active management area as a subsequent active management area if it meets specified criteria.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 26, 2025 - Referred to Senate Natural Resources
SB 1260 - assured water supply; agricultural water
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Dunn (R)
Summary: Allows a city or town within a specified exemption area and the Phoenix Active Management Area to receive an assured water supply designation if located on lands served by an agricultural water company, if other specified conditions apply.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 4, 2025 - Held in Senate Natural Resources
SB 1304 - irrigation water; assured water supply
Sponsor: Sen. Thomas “TJ” Shope (R)
Summary: Authorizes the Director of ADWR to designate portions of cities or towns within active management areas as having an assured water supply if specific criteria are met, including long-term water availability and financial capability to construct necessary infrastructure. Limits the designation to areas contracted with irrigation and water conservation districts for water use and treatment for municipal purposes.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 18, 2025 - Passed Senate Natural Resources
SB 1381 - well drilling application; location; GPS
Sponsor: Sen. Rosanna Gabaldón (D)
Summary: Requires the inclusion of Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of the location of the well to be included in the notice of intention to drill a well.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: January 29, 2025 - Referred to Senate Natural Resources
SB 1393 - false claims; agriculture; technical correction
Sponsor: Sen. Thomas “TJ” Shope (R)
Summary: Striker - groundwater replenishments; Pinal AMA
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 18, 2025 - Passed Senate Natural Resources w/ amendment
SB 1425 - rural groundwater management areas; establishment
Sponsor: Sen. Priya Sundareshan (D)
Summary: Establishes a process to designate Rural Groundwater Management Areas (RGMA) and grants local authorities the ability to impose water adequacy requirements within an RGMA. Establishes five initial RGMAs on the effective date of this legislation: Gila Bend, Hualapai Valley, Ranegras Plain, San Simon Valley, and Willcox. Restricts county boards of supervisors from approving subdivision plats in an RGMA unless ADWR determines an adequate water supply or the subdivider secures a written commitment for water service. Requires additional water adequacy documentation in real estate transactions and public reports for subdivisions and timeshare developments in an RGMA. The existing Willcox Active Management Area is repealed and supplanted by the Willcox RGMA on the effective date of this legislation.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 2, 2025 - Referred to Senate Natural Resources
SB 1432 - prohibition; geoengineering
Sponsor: Sen. David Farnsworth (R)
Summary: Prohibits individuals from intentionally injecting, releasing, or dispensing any chemical, compound, substance, or apparatus within Arizona's borders with the intent to affect temperature, weather, or sunlight intensity. Statute regulating weather control and cloud modification is repealed.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 18, 2025 - Passed Senate Natural Resources w/ amendment
SB 1518 - subsequent AMAs; groundwater portability
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Dunn (R)
Summary: Allows the owner of an irrigation grandfathered right in a subsequent active management area (AMA) to use, sell, transfer, or lease the grandfathered right and associated water duty of non-irrigated acres to another irrigator within the same subsequent AMA. Requires owners that do so to notify ADWR and include details of the acres involved and the volume of groundwater conveyed.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 18, 2025 - Passed Senate Natural Resources
SB 1520 - water protection; technical correction
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Dunn (R)
Summary: Striker - rural groundwater
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 18, 2025 - Passed Senate Natural Resources w/ amendment
SB 1521 - unbuilt certificates; assured water supply
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Dunn (R)
Summary: Allows the sale, transfer, or aggregation of an unbuilt certificate of assured water supply separate from the original lot or parcel, provided the transaction occurs within the same subbasin of the same active management area. Requires the groundwater allocated to the certificate to be used for the same proposed purpose. Establishes deadlines for construction or groundbreaking on the receiving lot or subdivision following the transfer. Requires a person that conducts these transactions to notify ADWR.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 18, 2025 - Placed on Senate Caucus calendar
SB 1522 - waterlogged area; exemption area
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Dunn (R)
Summary: Beginning January 1, 1989 to January 1, 2035, ADWR is required to determine that the withdrawal of up to 10,000 acre-feet of groundwater by a municipal provider from a specified area is consistent with the management goal of the Phoenix Active Management Area, is sufficient groundwater or surface water, and it not excess water. Retroactive to January 1, 1989.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 18, 2025 - Passed Senate Natural Resources w/ amendment
SB 1523 - water use; prohibition; landscaping
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Dunn (R)
Summary: Prohibits municipalities within active management areas with a goal of safe-yield from imposing minimum requirements for trees, shrubs, ground cover, turf, open space beyond what is required for retention, or detached sidewalks. Bans municipalities in initial active management areas from mandating minimum turf requirements, except for public recreational or civic spaces, and from requiring the installation of plants that are not low-water-use and drought-tolerant.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 18, 2025 - Placed on Senate Caucus calendar
SB 1530 - groundwater storage facility; withdrawals; area
Sponsor: Sen. Warren Petersen (R)
Summary: Requires ADWR to assume that a groundwater recovery well is within the area of impact of stored water if the well is located within one mile of specified water storage infrastructure, drainage channels, or groundwater savings facilities.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 18, 2025 - Passed Senate Natural Resources
SB 1558 - water technology study committee
Sponsor: Sen. Thomas “TJ” Shope (R)
Summary: Establishes the Water Technology Study Committee to research and make recommendations on the application of water conservation technology in Arizona. Requires the Committee to examine existing technologies, initiatives in other states, and the potential use of emerging water management technologies. Requires the Committee to submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 31, 2026. The Committee self-repeals January 1, 2027.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 18, 2025 - Passed Senate Natural Resources
SB 1598 - subdivisions; assured water supply; lots
Sponsor: Sen. Priya Sundareshan (D)
Summary: Requires a person proposing to offer one or more lots, parcels, or fractional interests in land for sale or lease to obtain a certificate of assured water supply before presenting the plat for approval to the county or municipality or offering the property for sale or lease. Counties and municipalities can approve a building permit only if the property has a certificate of assured water supply or a written commitment of water service from a municipal or private water company designated as having an assured water supply.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 3, 2025 - Bill introduced
SB 1599 - assured water supply; building permits
Sponsor: Sen. Priya Sundareshan (D)
Summary: Requires a person proposing to offer one or more lots, parcels, or fractional interests in land for sale or lease to obtain a certificate of assured water supply before presenting the plat for approval to the county or municipality. Counties and municipalities can approve a building permit only if the property, including residential, commercial, and industrial development, has a certificate of assured water supply or a written commitment of water service from a municipal or private water company designated as having an assured water supply.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 3, 2025 - Bill introduced
SB 1611 - physical availability exemption credit; groundwater
Sponsor: Sen. Thomas “TJ” Shope (R)
Summary: Creates a physical availability exemption credit allowing landowners in active management areas to permanently relinquish irrigation grandfathered rights in exchange for a groundwater withdrawal allowance. Specifies credit volumes and corresponding replenishment obligations based on location and acre-feet per irrigation acre. Exempts certain groundwater withdrawals from physical availability requirements for an assured water supply if specific criteria are met. Requires ADWR to establish procedures for granting, tracking, and assigning physical availability exemption credits.
Position: Neutral
Last Action: February 18, 2025 - Passed Senate Natural Resources