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
HB 2512: Colorado River water; local communities
In Brief: Prohibits transfers of P4 Colorado River water from Colorado River Communities
Sponsor(s): Cobb & Biasiucci
Last Action: Never assigned to committee.
Description: Prohibits transfer of on-river Priority 4 Colorado River water from outside of a “Colorado River community.”
HB 2538: Water protection fund; appropriation
In Brief: Would appropriate $1 million from the state general fund for the Arizona Water Protection Fund.
Sponsor(s): Griffin
Last Action: Passed Senate Appropriations Committee 3/15
Description: This bill would appropriate $1 million from the state general fund in Fiscal Year 2022-23 to the Arizona Water Protection Fund. The Arizona Water Protection Fund is a state-run program administered by ADWR 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. AMWUA has supported this legislation in previous years.
Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/77041?SessionId=125
HB 2549: Stored water; certificates; impact; accounting
In Brief: Suite of problematic amendments to Groundwater Code and Assured Water Supply Program
Sponsor(s): Griffin
Last Action: Held on House COW Calendar 2/24
Description: HB 2549 consolidates the legislative proposals of the Pinal AMA stakeholder group contained in HB 2256, HB 2258, and HB 2331. As noted, AMWUA and ADWR have serious concerns that these proposals undermine the Assured Water Supply Program.
Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/77063?SessionId=125
HB 2556: Water infrastructure finance; sunset repeal
In Brief: Aligns WIFA sunset date with parent agency, Office of Economic Opportunity
Sponsor(s): Griffin
Last Action: Signed by Governor 3/25
Description: Repeals the statutory sunset for the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA), which will now be included under the sunset review of its governing body, the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). The next sunset review for the Arizona OEO and its Boards is July 1, 2023. WIFA supports this alignment.
Link: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/77049?SessionId=125
HB 2619: Rainwater harvesting program
In Brief: Establishes the Rainwater Harvesting Grant Program
Sponsor(s): Liguori & 11 others
Last Action: Passed House NREW Committee 3/23
Description: Originally introduced as HB 2812, this strike-everything amendment establishes the Rainwater Harvesting Grant Program within the Arizona Department of Water Resources. Grants are available to Program applicants at two Levels: Level 1 Grants may be used to reimburse up to 50% of a simple or passive rainwater harvesting system, up to $500. Level 2 Grants may fund up to a maximum of $2,000 for an “active and more complex” project, including installation of a rainwater harvesting system and storage tank. Various routine landscaping activities are identified and excluded from eligibility for grant funding. HB 2619 appropriates $1 million to ADWR to fund the Program.
HB 2661: Rural management areas
In Brief: Allows a County Board of Supervisors to establish a Rural Management Area to prescribe water management practices and other regulations.
Sponsor(s): Cobb & Biasiucci
Last Action: Never assigned to Committee.
Description: Authorizes 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. For any Rural Management Area that is formed, a seven-person Council shall be appointed by the Governor. The Rural Management Area Council must adopt a Management Goal, Management Plan, and voluntary or mandatory best management practices designed to reduce groundwater withdrawals in the area. Any proposed actions to be implemented by ADWR in the Management Plan must be submitted for approval by the Department. HB 2661 also establishes the “Department of Water Resources Heritage Fund” consisting of monies deposited from the State Lottery, to support ADWR administration of the Rural Management Area.
HB 2725: Arizona Water Authority
In Brief: Establishes the Arizona Water Authority
Sponsor(s): Bowers & Griffin
Last Action: Assigned to House NREW 2/9
Description: HB 2725 establishes the “Arizona Water Authority.” This bill is a placeholder for legislation under development by the Governor’s Office and House & Senate leadership. It is anticipated to restructure the Drought Mitigation Revolving Fund Board that was established in 2021 and create an entity to fund and oversee large augmentation projects.
HB 2761: Water efficient plumbing fixtures
In Brief: Updates to Arizona's plumbing code to require water efficient fixtures.
Sponsor(s): Mathis & 9 others
Last Action: Assigned to House NREW 2/9. Did not receive a committee hearing.
Description: Arizona adopted water-efficiency standards for indoor plumbing fixtures in 1992 which have since been superseded by various federal laws and requirements. This bill would update Arizona’s water-efficiency standards to align with criteria established by the WaterSense Program, a public-private partnership between industry, utilities, and regulators. AMWUA has supported this legislation each year since the 2019 session.
SB 1022: Groundwater pumping; measuring; reporting
In Brief: Mandates water use metering and reporting for nonexempt groundwater wells throughout the state
Sponsor(s): Steele
Last Action: Assigned to Senate NREW. Did not receive a Committee hearing.
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/76284?SessionId=125
SB 1023: Well drilling; groundwater basins
In Brief: Establishes a well drilling moratorium in the Upper San Pedro and Verde Valley Subbasins
Sponsor(s): Steele
Last Action: Assigned to Senate NREW 1/10. Did not receive a Committee hearing.
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/76285?SessionId=125