Legislation Archive
Session Summaries
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2023 - Fifty-sixth Legislature - First Regular Session
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2022 - Fifty-fifth Legislature - Second Regular Session
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2021 - Fifty-fifth Legislature - First Regular Session
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2020 - Fifty-fourth Legislature - Second Regular Session
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2019 - Fifty-fourth Legislature - First Regular Session
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2018 - Fifty-third Legislature - Second Regular Session
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2017 – Fifty-third Legislature – First Regular Session
Bill Archive
SB 1494: Department of water resources; continuation
In Brief: Extends ADWR's sunset date to 2028.
Sponsor(s): Kerr & 5 others
Last Action: Passed Senate, assigned to House NREW 2/27
Description: Extends ADWR's sunset date to 2028.
Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/73810?SessionId=122
SB 1635: Subsequent irrigation non-expansion areas; procedures
In Brief: Modifies the procedures for determination of a new Irrigation Non-Expansion Area (INA)
Sponsor(s): Otondo & 15 others
Last Action: Only heard for discussion. No vote was held.
Description: This measure introduces a number of modifications to the procedures for establishment of new irrigation non-expansion areas (INA). This bill would allow ADWR to consider projected rates of groundwater withdrawal as part of the determination of a new INA. The bill also clarifies which entities are eligible to petition the State to create a new INA, and would mandate that petitioners submit a groundwater model and hydrologic assessment using methodology approved by the ADWR Director. This bill mirrors the suggested statutory changes presented by ADWR in the summer of 2017 during the Governor’s Water Discussions.
Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/73999?SessionId=122
SB 1636: Groundwater pumping; measuring; reporting
In Brief: Mandates water use metering and reporting for nonexempt groundwater wells throughout the state
Sponsor(s): Steele & 11 others
Last Action: Never heard in committee
Description: Requires monitoring and annual reporting for nonexempt groundwater wells throughout the state. Water users who irrigate 10 or fewer acres that are not part of a larger farming operation, or water users who pump <10 acre-feet per year for non-irrigation use are exempted from this requirement.
Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/74001?SessionId=122
SB 1637: Wells; permits; spacing rules
In Brief: Mandates water use metering and reporting for groundwater wells throughout the state
Sponsor(s): Mendez & 10 others
Last Action: Never heard in committee.
Description: Requires that ADWR adopt rules governing the location of new and replacement wells >35 gpm statewide, within groundwater basins that the Director determines to be experiencing declining groundwater levels.
Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/74003?SessionId=122
SB 1638: Well drilling; groundwater basins
In Brief: Establishes a well drilling moratorium in the Upper San Pedro and Verde Valley Subbasins
Sponsor(s): Dalessandro & 12 others
Last Action: Never heard in committee
Description: Establishes a well drilling moratorium that prevents new wells in the Upper San Pedro and Verde Valley groundwater subbasins until the conclusion of the General Stream Adjudication unless a well is a replacement well or does not pump subflow.
Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/74004?SessionId=122
SB 1639: Adequate water supply; statewide requirements
In Brief: Mandates that a city, town, or county may only approve a subdivision plat if the development has demonstrated an adequate water supply.
Sponsor(s): Otondo & 11 others
Last Action: Never heard in committee
Description: Mandates that a city, town, or county may only approve a subdivision plat if the development has demonstrated an adequate water supply.
Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/74008?SessionId=122
HB 2818: Adjudication; subflow wells; claim; priority
In Brief: Allows well users within a subflow zone to apply for a water right with a retroactively assigned priority date.
Sponsor(s): Griffin
Last Action: Failed House vote on 2/27
Description: The General Stream Adjudications affect any entity who uses surface water within the Little Colorado or Gila River watersheds. This includes water users who are pumping groundwater that is hydrologically connected to a river or stream, known as subflow. Many small well owners throughout the State have installed groundwater wells near surface waters and may be unknowingly pumping subflow. This bill would allow a well owner (of any size) determined to be in a subflow zone to apply to the Court to receive a water right with a priority retroactively assigned to the date that water was first withdrawn from the well. Similar proposals in the late 1990s resulted in years of litigation and were ultimately deemed unconstitutional on the basis that retroactive legislation which impacted property rights violates the due process clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/74106?SessionId=122
HB 2880: Assured water supply; availability; plats
In Brief: Modifies assured water supply statutes for Designated Water Providers and material plat changes in the Pinal AMA.
Sponsor(s): Roberts, Finchem, Shope
Last Action: Passed House 2/27
Description: This measure has been introduced on behalf of the Pinal AMA Stakeholder Group; entities working to address groundwater physical availability issues in the Pinal AMA. HB 2880 would amend statute to allow a water provider in the Pinal AMA retain the volume of groundwater approved in their most recent Designation of Assured Water Supply (AWS) without any future hydrologic review. Currently, Designated water providers in all AMAs must re-demonstrate physical availability of groundwater when renewing their Designations. The bill also changes the AWS statutes to allow developers to increase the number of housing units on a subdivision plat associated with existing Certificates of AWS in the Pinal AMA. Current regulations require developers to apply for a new Certificate if a plat is revised and housing units are increased by 10% or more.
Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/74175?SessionId=122
HB 2896: Water; rural management areas
In Brief: Allows a County Board of Supervisors to establish a Rural Management Area and prescribe water management practices.
Sponsor(s): Cobb & 7 others
Last Action: Only heard for discussion. Held in Approps
Description: This bill would allow a County Board of Supervisors to establish a new type of water management jurisdiction called a Rural Management Area if a particular groundwater basin or subbasin meet certain criteria, generally related to groundwater depletion. Rural Management Areas may develop a Management Goal, Management Plan, and voluntary or mandatory best management practices designed to reduce groundwater withdrawals in the area. The proposed Management Plan must be submitted for approval by ADWR.
Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/74191?SessionId=122
HB 2895: Subsequent irrigation non-expansion areas; procedures
In Brief: Modifies the procedures for determination of a new Irrigation Non-Expansion Area (INA)
Sponsor(s): Cobb
Last Action: Only heard for discussion. No vote was held.
Description: This measure introduces a number of modifications to the procedures for establishment of new irrigation non-expansion areas (INA). This bill would allow ADWR to consider projected rates of groundwater withdrawal as part of the determination of a new INA. The bill also clarifies which entities are eligible to petition the State to create a new INA, and would mandate that petitioners submit a groundwater model and hydrologic assessment using methodology approved by the ADWR Director. This bill mirrors the suggested statutory changes presented by ADWR in the summer of 2017 during the Governor’s Water Discussions.
Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/74190?SessionId=122