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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
House: NREW DPA 6-4-0-0 |
HB 2027: physical availability; review; designated providers
Sponsor: Representative Griffin
Caucus & COW
Overview
Prohibits the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) Director from adopting rules that apply Pinal active management area (AMA) statute(s) to a city or town in the Phoenix AMA that has received a designation of assured water supply. Requires the ADWR Director to review availability of groundwater and stored water in the Phoenix AMA.
History
Under the Groundwater Management Act, someone who plans to sell or lease subdivided lands in an AMA must obtain an Assured Water Supply (AWS) certificate from the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) or obtain a commitment for water service from a city, town or private water company that has an AWS designation. Otherwise, a municipality or county cannot approve that subdivision plat, and the State Real Estate Commissioner will not authorize the sale or lease of the subdivided lands.
An AWS means: 1) sufficient groundwater, surface water or effluent of adequate quality that will be legally, physically and continuously available to meet proposed water needs for at least 100 years; 2) projected groundwater use is consistent with the management plan and achieving the AMA's management goal; and 3) demonstrating the financial capability to build the facilities necessary to make water available for the proposed use.
The Director is required to designate cities and towns in AMAs where an AWS exists. Prior to 1998, a city or town that had entered a contract for Central Arizona Project water was deemed to continue to have an assured water supply. Beginning in 1998, the determination that a city or town has an AWS is subject to review by the Director. The Director may determine that a city or town does not have an AWS (A.R.S. § 45-576).
Provisions
1. Prohibits the ADWR Director from adopting rules that apply the Pinal AMA statute(s) to a city or town in the Phoenix AMA that has received an AWS designation. (Sec. 1)
2. Requires the ADWR Director to review, within 30 days after the effective date of this act, the physical availability of groundwater and stored water of each city or town in the Phoenix AMA that has received an AWS designation. (Sec. 2)
Amendments
Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water
1. Prohibits the Director, if the Director applies Pinal AMA statute to the Phoenix AMA, from reviewing the physical availability of groundwater to be included in an application for a certificate of AWS in the AMA if the applicant enrolls as a member land in a multi-county water conservation district. (Sec. 1)
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5. Initials CW HB 2027
6. 2/13/2026 Page 0 Caucus & COW
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