The proposed bill, HB2015, modifies Arizona's groundwater management laws by allowing a groundwater basin or subbasin to be designated as an Active Management Area (AMA) or Irrigation Non-Expansion Area (INA) based on a petition from 10% of registered voters who both reside in and receive their drinking water from that specific area. This represents a shift from current law, which only allows local landowners to petition the county board of supervisors or the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) Director for such designations. The new bill emphasizes that petitioners must be residents of the area and receive their drinking water from it, thereby ensuring that only those directly impacted by the decisions can participate.

Additionally, the bill enhances the verification process for voter eligibility by requiring the ADWR Director to provide necessary materials to the county recorder to determine eligible voters, including maps of residences. If a voter's drinking water source cannot be verified, their ballot will remain unopened and be destroyed. The bill also clarifies terminology, mandates public hearings within the relevant groundwater basin, and requires the director to explain the potential impacts of designating an area as an AMA during these sessions. Overall, HB2015 aims to ensure that groundwater management decisions are made with the input of those most affected by them.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-415, 45-433, 45-439, 16-168, 19-111
House Engrossed Version: 45-413, 45-415, 45-433, 45-435, 45-439, 45-412, 16-168, 19-111, 45-432