The bill HB2063 amends section 45-454 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, concerning the groundwater code. It grants a right to withdraw up to 35 gallons per minute to exempt wells that are registered with the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). The Director of ADWR is required to issue a certificate of water rights to each groundwater user who registers their exempt well, allowing them to pump up to this amount.

The bill clarifies that the issuance of a certificate of water rights does not affect decreed or appropriative rights, surface water, water subject to appropriation, or a general adjudication of water rights. It also specifies that a groundwater user may not appropriate subflow or surface water out of priority and that the withdrawn water is not exempt from a general stream adjudication. The bill includes technical and conforming changes and becomes effective on the general effective date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-454
House Engrossed Version: 45-454
Senate Engrossed Version: 45-454