If enacted, this bill would amend current statutes regarding the application process for individuals claiming grandfathered rights to withdraw or use groundwater in the Willcox Active Management Area (AMA). Under the proposed changes, the deadline for filing an application for a certificate of grandfathered right would be extended from the current requirement of no later than 15 months to no later than 21 months after the designation of the Willcox AMA. This change is specified in the new language that would be inserted into the existing statute, overriding the current law that mandates a 15-month application period.

Additionally, the bill would repeal the existing requirement for individuals to apply for a certificate of grandfathered right by January 1, 2027, effectively removing this deadline from the statutes. The bill also includes a provision stating that it would apply retroactively to January 8, 2025, and would be considered an emergency measure, allowing it to take effect immediately upon passage. Overall, these updates aim to provide more time for individuals to secure their water rights in the Willcox AMA.