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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
demand calculator; rules; conservation code
Purpose
An emergency measure that requires the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) to adopt rules to update ADWR's project demand calculator every five years.
Background
Applicants for the Assured Water Supply Program and Adequate Water Supply Program must submit adequate documentation and justification for the anticipated water use of the planned development. ADWR's demand calculator is a tool that applicants can use to estimate water demands for proposed developments. The demand calculator uses baseline demand data consistent with the current management plan for each active management area (AMA), reported water use data and U.S. census data at a county level. Currently, AMA staff periodically reevaluates water demands for new development within each AMA and updates the values used in the demand calculator to reflect increasing reductions in water demand (ADWR).
Agencies may conduct expedited rulemaking if the rulemaking does not increase the cost of regulatory compliance, increase a fee or reduce procedural rights of persons regulated and meets outlined statutory conditions (A.R.S. § 41-1027).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the Director of ADWR, on the effective date of this legislation and every five years thereafter, to adopt rules to update ADWR's project demand calculator.
2. Requires the outlined adopted rules to provide all inputs that ADWR's project demand calculator uses and reflect the latest conservation codes in effect when rulemaking occurs.
3. Allows the Director of ADWR to conduct expediated rulemaking.
4. Becomes effective on signature of the Governor, if the emergency clause is enacted.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 24, 2025
SB/SN/ci