The bill SB1056 proposes amendments to the Arizona Revised Statutes relating to groundwater management. It introduces new provisions for municipal providers in the Pinal Active Management Area regarding the replenishment obligations for parcels of member land within their service areas. Under the new bill, municipal providers applying for a new designation of assured water supply can elect to retain the replenishment obligation for member lands. This means that the district must replenish groundwater equal to the obligation applicable to those parcels.

The bill also outlines a process for municipal providers to gradually assume the replenishment obligation from member lands over a period of ten years or the first term of the designation, whichever is shorter. After this period, the municipal provider will take over all groundwater deliveries and associated obligations, ceasing the need for separate reporting for member lands. Additionally, the bill allows for the use of extinguishment credits and groundwater allowances associated with member lands by the municipal provider, either immediately if the obligation is assumed at the initial designation or in stages as the provider assumes more of the obligation.

The bill also requires the Department of Water Resources to amend rules by January 1, 2025, to incorporate these changes regarding extinguishment credits and groundwater allowances in designations of assured water supply.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-256, 11-225
Senate Engrossed Version: 9-256, 11-225
House Engrossed Version: 48-3771, 48-3775, 48-3778, 48-3780, 48-3781, 45-576, 48-3774, 45-877.01, 48-3772, 35-146, 35-147, 48-3773, 48-3782, 45-576.01