HB2200 proposes amendments to the Arizona Revised Statutes relating to the transportation of groundwater from the Harquahala Irrigation Non-expansion Area (INA) to an initial active management area (AMA). The bill expands the list of eligible entities that can transport groundwater by including public service corporations, which must be regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), hold a certificate of convenience and necessity for water service in an initial AMA, and own land in the INA that is eligible to be irrigated. The bill also stipulates that all costs associated with the withdrawal, transportation, and delivery of groundwater by a public service corporation must be covered by the customers of the corporation's water district where the transported groundwater is used.

Additionally, the bill sets forth new requirements for entities eligible to transport groundwater, such as compliance with the assured water supply program, installation of water measuring devices, and submission of monthly reports to the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) detailing the volume and end use or destination of the transported groundwater. The ADWR is tasked with adopting administrative rules to implement these provisions, including reporting requirements, and is exempt from rulemaking requirements for one year after the bill's effective date. The ADWR must also submit an annual report by July 1st detailing the amount of groundwater withdrawn and transported from the Harquahala INA, including a delineation of the end use or destination of all transported groundwater.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-554
House Engrossed Version: 45-554