The proposed bill would amend current statutes regarding groundwater rights in Arizona by extending the time frame for determining irrigation rights from five years to ten years prior to the designation of a subsequent active management area (AMA). This change would allow for the irrigation of land that was legally irrigated at any time during the ten years preceding the notice of initiation of designation procedures, broadening the scope of land eligible for groundwater use. Additionally, the bill would modify the calculation methods for determining the maximum amount of groundwater that can be used for irrigation, ensuring that the highest number of acres legally irrigated during the ten years prior to designation is considered. The bill also proposes several updates to enhance clarity and consistency in the groundwater code, including the correction of the term "geographical" to "geographic" in multiple definitions. It introduces provisions for correctional facilities regarding irrigation rights and specifies that the right to withdraw groundwater does not require an irrigation grandfathered right and cannot be conveyed to other users. The act is retroactive to August 29, 2022, ensuring that the changes apply to situations occurring after that date. Overall, these updates aim to provide more flexibility and rights to landowners while addressing current water management challenges.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-402, 45-416, 45-452, 45-463, 45-464, 45-476, 3-1201, 45-414, 45-415, 45-454, 45-411, 45-411.02, 45-411.03, 45-437, 45-465, 45-564, 45-568, 45-483, 45-469, 45-472, 45-494.01, 45-591.01, 45-172, 45-465.01, 45-465.02, 45-114, 45-576
House Engrossed Version: 45-402, 45-416, 45-452, 45-463, 45-464, 45-476, 3-1201, 45-414, 45-415, 45-454, 45-411, 45-411.02, 45-411.03, 45-437, 45-465, 45-564, 45-568, 45-483, 45-469, 45-472, 45-494.01, 45-591.01, 45-172, 45-465.01, 45-465.02, 45-114, 45-576
Senate Engrossed Version: 45-402, 45-416, 45-452, 45-463, 45-464, 45-465, 45-476, 3-1201, 45-414, 45-415, 45-454, 45-411, 45-411.02, 45-411.03, 45-437, 45-564, 45-568, 45-483, 45-469, 45-472, 45-494.01, 45-591.01, 45-172, 45-465.01, 45-465.02, 45-114, 45-576, 45-467, 45-566.02, 45-567.02, 45-568.02