The proposed bill aims to amend Arizona's statutes on irrigation rights within Active Management Areas (AMAs) by introducing new provisions that allow for the irrigation of previously non-irrigated land adjacent to existing irrigated farm units. This change would enable individuals to utilize groundwater for irrigation, provided that the volume does not exceed what is awarded by an Irrigation Grandfathered Right (IGFR). Current law restricts irrigation to land that has been legally irrigated within the last five years, but the bill expands these rights under specific conditions.

In addition to these new provisions, the bill also removes outdated language and makes technical adjustments to enhance clarity and consistency within the statutes. This includes the deletion of certain definitions and conditions related to irrigation rights, as well as updates to terminology, such as changing "sub-basin" to "subbasin." The bill is designed to be retroactive, applying from August 29, 2022, which will impact any relevant cases or rights established after that date.

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