 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
appropriation; uranium monitoring; mine inspector
Purpose
Appropriates $50,000 from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2027 to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to monitor uranium contamination. Requires ADEQ to establish a statewide registry and monitoring program for potential uranium contamination in Arizona, and partner with tribal epidemiology centers for implementation.
Background
Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive element that can be released into the environment through environmental processes or by industries involved in uranium mining, milling and processing. Uranium can enter the human body from the air, water, food or from dermal contact. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established a maximum contaminant level of 0.03 mg/L and set a maximum contaminant level goal of no uranium in drinking water (CDC).
The Director of ADEQ must maintain a statewide database of groundwater and soils sampled for pollutants. All agencies must submit to the Director of ADEQ, in a timely manner, the results of any groundwater or soils sampling for pollutants and the results of any groundwater or soils sampling that detect any pollutants (A.R.S. § 49-225).
H.B. 2889 appropriates $50,000 from the state GF in FY 2027 to ADEQ.
Provisions
1. Appropriates $50,000 from the state GF in FY 2027 to ADEQ to monitor uranium contamination.
2. Requires ADEQ to:
a) use the monies to fund soil, water and home testing for potential uranium contamination;
b) establish a statewide registry and monitoring program for potential uranium contamination in Arizona;
c) partner with tribal epidemiology centers to implement the registry and monitoring program; and
d) submit a report of finding and recommendations by December 31, 2027, to the Governor, President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and provide a copy to the Secretary of State.
3. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
NREW 2/17/26 DP 9-0-0-1
APPROP 2/23/26 DPA 16-0-1-1
3rd Read 3/9/26 50-2-7-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 20, 2026
SB/SF/hk