The bill SB1181 amends sections of the Arizona Revised Statutes relating to multi-county water conservation districts. It introduces provisions that allow a municipal provider applying for a new designation of assured water supply in the Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA) to elect for all parcels of member land in the municipal service area to retain a replenishment obligation. The water conservation district must replenish groundwater equal to the obligation applicable to those parcels of member land.

The bill also outlines the process for municipal providers to assume the replenishment obligation of member lands in stages over a period of up to ten years. After this period, the municipal provider will have assumed all groundwater deliveries and associated obligations, and will no longer need to submit reports for those parcels of member land. Additionally, the bill specifies how groundwater allowances or extinguishment credits associated with member lands may be used by the municipal provider. The Arizona Department of Water Resources is required to amend rules for incorporating extinguishment credits and groundwater allowance associated with member lands in a designation of assured water supply, consistent with the new regulations. The bill becomes effective on the general effective date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 48-3771, 48-3774, 48-3781, 45-576
Senate 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
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
Chaptered 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