The proposed bill introduces significant changes to the management of groundwater in Arizona, specifically in basin-fill aquifer areas outside of active management areas, irrigation non-expansion areas, and certain basins or subbasins. It repeals the existing Section 45-544 and replaces it with new provisions that allow for the free transport of groundwater within the same basin or subbasin, without the groundwater being tied to a specific well or location. The bill also establishes that groundwater may be used in a manner consistent with the correlative rights of landowners and deems such transfers as reasonable and beneficial use, exempting them from requiring permits or being subject to claims for damages from other groundwater users.

The bill mandates the director to determine the correlative rights of landowners within 90 days of the bill's effective date, which includes calculating the total surface area of eligible acres, the total volume of groundwater available, and the average volume of annual natural recharge. Personal groundwater accounts will be established for each landowner, with assigned volumes based on these determinations. The bill also outlines procedures for transferring groundwater credits between accounts and sets forth rules for the enforcement and measurement of groundwater withdrawals. Additionally, the bill provides for the crediting of groundwater replenishment facilities and requires a hydrological audit and update every ten years.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-544