Legislation Archive

Session Summaries

Bill Archive

2022 - Fifty-fifth Legislature - Second Regular Session
Counties; powers; water supply projects

HB 2037: Counties; powers; water supply projects

In Brief: Authorizes a county to coordinate with other entities on the management and distribution of federal funds for water supply projects

Sponsor(s): Cook

Last Action: Signed by Governor 4/22

Description: A s/e amendment was adopted and passed out of House NREW that significantly limited the scope of the bill to a sole change in the powers of a Board of Supervisors – allowing a Board to enter into agreements for the management and distribution of federal funds related to water supply projects.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/76364?SessionId=125

2022 - Fifty-fifth Legislature - Second Regular Session
Department of environmental quality; continuation

HB 2053: Department of environmental quality; continuation

In Brief: Extends sunset date for ADEQ to 2030.

Sponsor(s): Griffin

Last Action: Signed by Governor 3/25

Description: Extends the sunset date for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality for eight years, through 2030.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/76425?SessionId=125

2022 - Fifty-fifth Legislature - Second Regular Session
Harquahala non-expansion area; groundwater transportation

HB 2055: Harquahala non-expansion area; groundwater transportation

In Brief: Authorizes transfers of groundwater from the Harquahala INA by private water companies

Sponsor(s): Griffin

Last Action: Passed Senate NREW 3/9

Description: This bill adds a provision to statute allowing private water companies to withdraw groundwater from purchased land in the Harquahala irrigation non-expansion area (INA) and transport that water to an initial AMA. Currently, only political subdivisions of the state can purchase land and transfer the Harquahala groundwater to AMAs. A floor amendment was adopted on 2/23 that adds several limitations to the bill – the groundwater must be used by the transporting entity’s customers within 5 years of transport and cannot be sold for use other than by the transporting entity. A private water company transferring the groundwater must pay for all associated costs from charges to customers where the water is actually transported for use. ADWR must adopt Rules for compliance and reporting related to Harquahala groundwater transfers.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/76427?SessionId=125

2022 - Fifty-fifth Legislature - Second Regular Session
Fifth management period; extension

HB 2056: Fifth management period; extension

In Brief: Extends the Fifth Management Period by ten years, lengthening the Period from to 2025 to 2035.

Sponsor(s): Griffin and 3 others

Last Action: Held in House NREW 2/15

Description: Extends the Fifth Management Period by ten years, lengthening the Period from to 2025 to 2035. Extending the Fifth Management Period by a decade does not alter the end date of the 5MP regulations, as the conservation requirements continue to remain in effect indefinitely, whether the Period ends in 2025 or 2035. ADWR sought to pursue legislative authority to establish a Sixth Management Period; however, it appears that this bill will not be amended to accomplish the Department’s objective. A striker was introduced related to P4 transfer prohibitions

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/76428?SessionId=125

2022 - Fifty-fifth Legislature - Second Regular Session
Water supply development fund; revisions

HB 2057: Water supply development fund; revisions

In Brief: Technical Corrections to the Water Supply Development Fund

Sponsor(s): Griffin & Bowers

Last Action: Signed by Governor 3/25

Description: The Water Supply Development Revolving (WSDR) fund was established in 2007 and was intended to assist rural water providers acquire water supplies through loans and grants. The statutory criteria associated with WSDR Fund were substantively modified in the 2021 Legislative Session by HB 2388 which expanded applicant eligibility, as well as a $46 million appropriation to the Fund. This bill, HB 2057, makes technical corrections, deletes references to the defunct WSDR Fund Committee, and makes conforming changes to last year’s legislation that expanded the maximum grant limit to $250,000.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/76429?SessionId=125

2022 - Fifty-fifth Legislature - Second Regular Session
Municipalities; membership dues; limit

HB 2099: Municipalities; membership dues; limit

In Brief: Imposes a "per capita" formula for membership dues for all membership organizations comprised of cities or towns.

Sponsor(s): Cobb & 2 others

Last Action: Passed House COW 2/3

Description: This bill applies to all organizations whose majority of paid members are cities or towns. HB 2099 establishes a “per capita” metric that divides a city’s membership dues by its total population. No city may pay membership dues to an organization if its “per capita” ratio is greater than the ratio of the largest city within the same organization. This formula is incompatible with AMWUA’s calculation of membership assessments which are not solely based on population. This legislation would impair the ability of municipalities to establish and participate in organizations that do not follow this narrow structure for establishing membership dues.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/76496?Sessionid=125

2022 - Fifty-fifth Legislature - Second Regular Session
ADEQ; direct potable reuse; rules

HB 2129: ADEQ; direct potable reuse; rules

In Brief: Requires ADEQ to develop a regulatory framework for DPR; appropriates $3 million to ADEQ

Sponsor(s): Griffin & Bowers

Last Action: Passed Senate NREW 3/9

Description: Authorizes the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to adopt all rules necessary to develop a direct potable reuse program and develop Rules. Appropriates $1,500,000 in FYs 2023 and 2024 to operate this program. Both the appropriation and mandate to ADEQ to complete the rulemaking were included in the Environment budget bill (HB 2681).

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/76535

2022 - Fifty-fifth Legislature - Second Regular Session
Artificial grass ban prohibited; HOAs

HB 2131: Artificial grass ban prohibited; HOAs

In Brief: Prohibits an HOA from banning installation artificial turf

Sponsor(s): Kavanagh

Last Action: Signed by Governor 3/30

Description: HB 2131 prevents a homeowner’s association (HOA) from prohibiting installation or use of artificial turf on any member’s property. The HOA may adopt reasonable rules regarding the installation and appearance of artificial grass.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/76537?SessionId=125

2022 - Fifty-fifth Legislature - Second Regular Session
Universities; water rights adjudication

HB 2231: Universities; water rights adjudication

In Brief: Authorizes Arizona universities to assist small claimants in the General Stream Adjudications

Sponsor(s): Griffin

Last Action: Passed Senate Rules 3/14

Description: Authorizes Arizona universities to offer pro bono assistance to General Stream Adjudication claimants who are “small landowners.” The provisions of this bill were included in a section of a 2021 budget reconciliation bill subsequently deemed unconstitutional by the Arizona Supreme Court, thus its reintroduction in this session.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/76686?SessionId=125

2022 - Fifty-fifth Legislature - Second Regular Session
Assured water supply; service area

HB 2256: Assured water supply; service area

In Brief: Statutory amendments to the definition of "Service Area" for AWS purposes

Sponsor(s): Cook

Last Action: Assigned to House NREW 2/3

Description: Requires the Director of ADWR, when determining the physical availability of groundwater to be drawn through future wells for an Assured Water Supply (AWS) Determination to assume that: • The service area of a city or town is coterminous with the boundaries of the city or town; • The service area of a private water company is coterminous with the boundaries of its certificate of convenience and necessity (CC&N); and • The service area of a water improvement district is coterminous with the boundaries of the district. AMWUA and ADWR have identified several concerns with this proposal. First, HB 2256 would establish statutory definitions of “service area” that directly contradict the Groundwater Code’s existing provisions that define and govern service area expansions. This bill would also allow AWS Determinations to be approved on the premise that a future well will be drilled in a location where there is no guarantee the water provider will have access in the future. ADWR has noted that this proposed legislation is inconsistent with the consumer protection goals of the AWS Program.

Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/76719?SessionId=125