The proposed bill, HB2099, amends the Arizona Groundwater Management Code to establish provisions for groundwater users in areas that transition from an Irrigation Non-Expansion Area (INA) to an Active Management Area (AMA). Specifically, it mandates that these users receive a water duty based on their highest annual groundwater withdrawal since the INA designation. The bill prohibits the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources from granting a water duty that is less than this highest annual withdrawal and requires the department to notify eligible users of their expected water duty and number of farm units.

Additionally, the bill ensures that groundwater users do not incur any costs or fees for the determination of their irrigation water duty and allows them to contest the department's determination without being assessed any charges. It also includes an emergency clause, making the provisions effective immediately upon enactment, and specifically directs the Director to grant irrigation water duties to all groundwater users in the newly established Douglas AMA.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-465