HB2060 amends Arizona's groundwater code by allowing landowners in an irrigation non-expansion area (INA) to permanently retire acres from irrigation and substitute an equal number of acres within the same INA for any end use, provided that the substitution does not result in a net increase in groundwater withdrawal. Additionally, the bill requires the Cochise and Graham County Recorders to place a question on the 2024 general election ballot asking whether the Willcox Groundwater Basin should be designated as an INA. If a majority of eligible voters within the basin vote "yes," the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources must officially designate the Willcox Basin as an INA.

The bill also specifies that, from the effective date until the certification of the general election results, irrigation users in the Willcox Basin may only irrigate with groundwater from a non-exempt well on land that was irrigated with such a well during the five years preceding the effective date of the act. The bill includes an emergency clause, making it effective immediately upon the Governor's signature.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-437, 45-437.04, 45-431, 45-172, 45-437.01, 45-437.02, 45-437.03, 45-432, 35-146, 35-147
House Engrossed Version: 45-437, 45-437.04, 45-431, 45-172, 45-437.01, 45-437.02, 45-437.03, 45-432, 35-146, 35-147
Senate Engrossed Version: 45-437, 45-437.04, 45-431, 45-172, 45-437.01, 45-437.02, 45-437.03, 45-432, 35-146, 35-147