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Arizona state capitol building at sunset with text overlaid that reads "Legislative Affairs"

Legislative Affairs

The Arizona Department of Water Resources Office of Legislative Affairs coordinates the Department’s legislative agenda, tracks pending federal and state legislation on water and natural resources and builds and maintains relationships with lawmakers, their staff and the broader water community.  In this section, Legislative Affairs provides a Weekly Legislative Update detailing the disposition of water-related legislation during the regular session of the Arizona Legislature. 
 
Legislative Affairs serves as the point of contact for legislators and their staff.  Lawmakers and stakeholders are encouraged to engage the Department on potential legislation.  For tour opportunities, bill analysis and general legislative inquiries, please review our contact information.


For The Week Ending On February 26, 2021

News/Notes

Today marks the 47th day of the 55h Legislature, 1st Regular Session.
  • Bills not receiving an initial hearing in their chamber or origin are unlikely to move forward in the legislative process and have been removed from the Weekly Legislative Update for ease of reading.
  • Bill links have been updated to include the most recent bill language.

Posted Committee Hearings

HB 2035 appropriation; Arizona water protection fund
  • Hearing: Senate Appropriations (Tuesday 03/02/21 at 2:00 PM)
HB 2441 water; substitute acreage
  • Hearing: Senate Natural Resources, Energy & Water (Wednesday 03/03/21 at 2:00 PM)
Weekly Newsletter:
PDF icon ADWR Weekly Legislative Update 0226.pdf

Enacted Legislation


HB 2041

HB 2014

Modifies the calculation for groundwater replenishment reserve targets for active management areas within a multi-county water conservation district.

2/18 Signed by the Governor

First Sponsor : Rep. Griffin (R - Dist 14)
ADWR Position : Neutral

HB 2056

HB 2056

Beginning on the effective date of this legislation, a person who is entitled to the use of water is authorized to file with the Department of Water Resources a water conservation plan notice. Information that must be included in the notice is listed. On filing a water conservation plan notice, the conservation of water pursuant to the plan does not constitute abandonment or forfeiture of the water conserved. A person cannot accrue long-term storage credits for any water that is conserved in a water conservation plan notice. A water conservation plan is required to designate a duration of up to 10 years, and the person filing the notice may file a subsequent notice for one or more periods of up to 10 years. Contains a legislative intent section stating that the Legislature intends that this act apply prospectively only.

2/18 signed by the Governor

First Sponsor : Rep. Griffin (R - Dist 14)
ADWR Position : Neutral

HB 2078

HB 2078

Summary:  The exemption from irrigation water duties for persons entitled to use groundwater under an irrigation grandfathered right is extended ten years, to December 31, 2034. The exemption from any applicable conservation requirements for the distribution of groundwater for the Arlington Canal Company, the Buckeye Water Conservation and Drainage District and the St. John's Irrigation District is extended ten years, to December 31, 2034. The Director of the Department of Water Resources is required to submit a recommendation to the Governor and the Legislature by November 15, 2031 regarding extending these exemptions.

signed by governor; Chap. 4, Laws 2021

First Sponsor : Rep. Dunn (R - Dist 13)
ADWR Position : Support

SB 1274

SB 1274

Summary: In the Pinal Active Management Area, for an application to modify or renew a designation of assured water supply, or for a new application for a designation for the same service area to be served by a substitute provider acquiring the assets of the prior provider, if specified conditions apply to the volume of groundwater and stored water, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is prohibited from reviewing the physical availability of groundwater that was determined to be physically available under the previous designation. Does not affect the DWR review of assured water supply criteria other than the physical availability of groundwater and stored water to be recovered outside the area of impact of storage. The following are deemed physically available for purposes of an assured water supply designation: stored water that is to be recovered by the applicant within the "area of impact" (defined) under long-term storage credits pledged to the designation, and stored water that is to be recovered by the applicant within the area of impact of storage either on an annual basis or as long-term storage credits to be earned in the future if the water to be stored meets the physical availability requirements for the water supply. Contains a legislative intent section.

2/12 signed by Governor

First Sponsor : Sen. Shope (R - Dist 8)
ADWR Position : Neutral

 

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Arizona Department of Water Resources
1110 W Washington Street Suite 310
Phoenix, AZ 85007
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Phone: 602.771.8500 | Fax: 602.771.8689
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