This bill proposes amendments to sections 49-264 and 49-407 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, specifically addressing environmental lawsuits. The current law allows individuals with a potential adverse interest to initiate civil actions in superior court regarding violations of environmental regulations. The bill introduces new provisions that expand the scope of who can be sued, including individuals, the state, or political subdivisions for alleged violations, and clarifies the court's jurisdiction to enforce these regulations and impose civil penalties. Additionally, it modifies the conditions under which a civil action may not be commenced, reducing the notice period from 120 days to 60 days and eliminating certain existing exceptions.

Furthermore, the bill enhances the court's authority in final orders by allowing it to award litigation costs and attorney fees to prevailing parties and to impose civil penalties that are to be deposited into designated environmental funds. It also ensures that the new provisions align with federal law, specifically referencing relevant sections of the United States Code. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the process for environmental litigation and strengthen enforcement mechanisms.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 49-264, 49-407, 49-262, 35-146, 35-147, 49-282