The proposed bill seeks to update current statutes regarding irrigation rights in Active Management Areas (AMAs) by allowing the irrigation of previously non-irrigated land, contingent upon the Arizona Department of Water Resources' (ADWR) determination of Irrigation Grandfathered Rights (IGFR). New provisions include requirements that the land must be adjacent to a previously irrigated farm unit and that irrigation must not exceed the groundwater volume awarded by an IGFR. Additionally, the bill aims to clarify definitions and conditions for land deemed to have been in irrigation, particularly in both initial and subsequent AMAs. The bill also includes technical and conforming changes to ensure consistency with existing laws, while making various grammatical adjustments for clarity. It specifies that the right to withdraw groundwater does not necessitate a grandfathered right and outlines the process for relinquishing irrigation rights. The act is retroactive to August 29, 2022, ensuring that the new provisions apply to situations occurring after that date. Overall, the bill aims to modernize and streamline regulations surrounding groundwater rights and irrigation practices in Arizona.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-452, 45-470, 45-472, 45-473, 45-512, 45-172, 45-465.01, 45-465.02, 45-463, 45-469, 45-437, 45-114, 45-461, 45-465, 45-473.01, 45-483
House Engrossed Version: 45-452, 45-470, 45-472, 45-473, 45-512, 45-172, 45-465.01, 45-465.02, 45-463, 45-469, 45-437, 45-114, 45-461, 45-465, 45-473.01, 45-483