Legislation Archive

Session Summaries

Bill Archive

2018 - Fifty-third Legislature - Second Regular Session
Natural resource conservation districts; administration

SB1514: Natural resource conservation districts; administration

In Brief: The Division of Natural Resource Conservation overseen by the Department of Forestry and Fire Management

Sponsor(s): Griffin

Last Action: Held in House

Description: This bill places oversight of the Division of Natural Resource Conservation in the Department of Forestry and Fire Management. It currently resides in the State Land Department.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/70725?SessionId=119

2018 - Fifty-third Legislature - Second Regular Session
Adequate water supply; county review

SB1515: Adequate water supply; county review

In Brief: Allows county board of supervisors for a county outside an AMA to not readopt the 100-year adequate water supply water requirement

Sponsor(s): Griffin

Last Action: Held in House

Description: As amended, this bill allows a county board of supervisors in a non-AMA county that has adopted a mandatory 100-year adequate water supply requirement to vote unanimously to not readopt the requirement if certain conditions are met. The conditions, which relate to the county or largest city in the county, include participation in the following: Groundwater recharge, reclaimed water reuse, water conservation programs, and use of low water use plants in certain publicly owned areas.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/70728?SessionId=119

2018 - Fifty-third Legislature - Second Regular Session
Central Arizona project; sovereign immunity

SB1516: Central Arizona project; sovereign immunity

In Brief: Multi-county water conservation district (i.e. CAWCD) shall not assert the defense of sovereign immunity

Sponsor(s): Griffin

Last Action: Held in Senate Rules Committee

Description: This bill states that a multi-county water conservation district (i.e. CAWCD) shall not assert the defense of immunity under the Eleventh Amendment in litigation brought by a water user to enforce the terms of a Central Arizona Project (CAP) water delivery contract or subcontract. As written, the language in this bill could be read to imply that CAWCD does have sovereign immunity under the Eleventh Amendment and could assert this defense in actions unrelated to the enforcement of subcontracts. As amended, the bill also requires both ADWR and CAWCD to inform the other if one is a party to discussions or negotiations of interstate agreements involving Colorado River water.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/70726?SessionId=119

2018 - Fifty-third Legislature - Second Regular Session
Appropriation; Arizona water protection fund

SB1039: Appropriation; Arizona water protection fund

In Brief: Arizona Water Protection Fund appropriation of $400,000

Sponsor(s): Griffin

Last Action: Signed by Governor on 5/16/18

Description: This bill, as amended, appropriates $400,000 from the state general fund in fiscal year 2018-19 to the Arizona water protection fund. The Arizona Water Protection Fund is a state-run program that funds projects to protect and enhance water quality and quantity in Arizona's rivers, streams, and riparian areas. Some of these efforts include revegetation, erosion control, channel stabilization, research, and water conservation.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/69699

2018 - Fifty-third Legislature - Second Regular Session
Wildland fuel loads; watershed protection

HB2203: Wildland fuel loads; watershed protection

In Brief: Provides process for select officials to address catastrophic fuel loads on state or federal land

Sponsor(s): Finchem

Last Action: Amended by an unrelated strike everything amendment on 3/19/18. Held in Senate Rules Committee.

Description: As introduced, this bill authorized a mayor, chairman of the board of supervisors, or a county sheriff to make a formal determination that a “catastrophic wildland fuel load” exists on state or federal land located in the borders of the city, town or county, and to take several enumerated actions to address the condition. On 3/19/18, this bill became a vehicle for an unrelated “strike everything” amendment.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/69966

2018 - Fifty-third Legislature - Second Regular Session
Groundwater basin; department survey

HB2291: Groundwater basin; department survey

In Brief: Requires ADWR to conduct a groundwater survey of the Upper Colorado River Planning area

Sponsor(s): Cobb

Last Action: Held in Committee

Description: This bill requires ADWR to conduct a survey of areas in the groundwater basin of the Upper Colorado River Planning area to determine the status and resiliency of groundwater supplies, and submit a report to the House Speaker, Senate President, legislators in affected areas, and relevant County Supervisors. ADWR would be required to gather extensive data, including well usage information. The bill also allows the County Board of Supervisors to recommend metering and monitoring of wells to ADWR.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/70109

2018 - Fifty-third Legislature - Second Regular Session
Appropriation; lead screening; charter schools

HB2352: Appropriation; lead screening; charter schools

In Brief: Appropriates $100,000 for screening for lead in drinking water in charter schools.

Sponsor(s): Engel and 14 others

Last Action: Held in Committee

Description: This bill appropriates $100,000 from the general fund in addition to other appropriations for fiscal year 2018-2019 to ADEQ for screening for lead in drinking water in charter schools.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/70149

2018 - Fifty-third Legislature - Second Regular Session
Geologists; landscape architects, regulatory repeal

HB2410: Geologists; landscape architects, regulatory repeal

In Brief: Eliminates certain Board of Technical Registration requirements for geologists and landscape architects.

Sponsor(s): Mosley

Last Action: Held in Committee

Description: This bill eliminates certain Board of Technical Registration requirements and related statutory language for geologists and landscape architects. This bill is similar to provisions in a bill from 2016 that sought to deregulate the professional geological practice. The 2016 bill resulted in a legislative compromise that resulted in the voluntary licensure of geologists. Under current law, geologists make certain certifications under the groundwater code.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/70195

2018 - Fifty-third Legislature - Second Regular Session
Water infrastructure finance authority; appropriation

SB1229: Water infrastructure finance authority; appropriation

In Brief: $30 million appropriation to WIFA

Sponsor(s): Mendez and 16 others

Last Action: Held in Committee

Description: This bill appropriates $30 million from the state general fund to the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA). WIFA is a state agency that provides low-interest loans to water providers.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/70328

2018 - Fifty-third Legislature - Second Regular Session
WQARF; appropriation

HB2214: WQARF; appropriation

In Brief: Appropriates $15 million from the general fund to the Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund (WQARF)

Sponsor(s): Gabaldon

Last Action: Held in Committee

Description: This bill appropriates $15 million from the general fund to the Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund (WQARF) in addition to any other appropriations made in fiscal year 2018 2019. WQARF is a state-sponsored program established by the Legislature to clean up hazardous soil and groundwater contamination.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/69978