House Engrossed

Colorado River; seven-state agreement

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 2038

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

supporting a seven-state consensus agreement on post-2026 operating guidelines on the colorado river.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Whereas, key operating guidelines for the Colorado River between Upper Basin and Lower Basin states expire this year; and

      Whereas, the Colorado River is a vital resource for this state, as Arizona's major population center, agricultural industry, advanced technology sector, tribal communities and military bases rely heavily on water from the Colorado River; and

      Whereas, supporting Arizona's economy and the state as a whole is vital to national security, national economy and the national food supply; and

      Whereas, within the overall Colorado River Basin, approximately 75 percent of all jobs, people, crop sales and economic activity are located within the Lower Basin States of Arizona, California and Nevada; and

      Whereas, Arizona has been meeting and continues to meet with Upper Basin states to find a consensus on the additional reductions that will be needed to ensure compliance with the 1922 Colorado River Compact; and

Whereas, Arizona and the Lower Basin States have offered and continue to offer collaborative solutions to proactively protect the Colorado River system; and

      Whereas, Arizona is using less water today than in the 1950s despite population growth of more than 500 percent; and

      Whereas, the Lower Basin States have already taken real, meaningful reductions to conserve almost 8.9 million acre-feet in Lake Mead since 2007; and

      Whereas, between 2023 and 2026, the Lower Basin States will have generated up to 3.7 million acre-feet of verified audited conservation, safeguarding the Colorado River system; and

      Whereas, Arizona has invested $211 million in water conservation projects that will save up to 6.6 million acre-feet of water over the respective lives of the projects; and

      Whereas, Arizona remains diligent in its efforts to work together, continue meeting and find a solution that provides certainty to all Basin States while protecting the Colorado River system; and

      Whereas, the Lower Basin States have provided a solution that is intended to address the structural deficit in the Lower Basin and share reductions needed to protect the Colorado River system; and

      Whereas, throughout the negotiations with the Basin States, it is necessary to reach an agreement that continues to benefit all Basin States while sharing the risk of reductions.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:

      That the Members of the Legislature support a mutual, seven-state agreement that benefits all Basin States and protects the major population centers and industries in Arizona that are vital to our national security, economy and food supply.