The proposed bill seeks to amend current statutes by shifting the approval process for state land exchanges from a public referendum to a requirement for legislative and gubernatorial approval, thereby enhancing governmental control over these transactions. It also introduces comprehensive regulations for wind farm development, including public hearings, financial sureties, and environmental assessments, which are not currently specified in existing law. The bill establishes specific requirements for wind farm projects, such as prohibiting their location within six miles of residentially zoned properties and mandating approvals from state and federal agencies.

Additionally, the bill outlines new procedural requirements, including the need for a referendum petition to be filed within 60 days of a wind farm project approval and mandates cooperation between the Arizona State Land Department and local governments regarding land use. It imposes a six-month moratorium on new construction permits to allow counties to develop conforming regulations while exempting ongoing projects. The bill also emphasizes the importance of restoration security instruments for land post-construction and ensures that local ordinances are considered in the approval process, unless deemed unreasonably restrictive. Overall, these updates aim to modernize the management of state lands and enhance regulatory oversight of wind energy projects in Arizona.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 37-604
Senate Engrossed Version: 37-604
House Engrossed Version: 11-254.07, 19-144, 37-281.02, 37-286, 37-301, 37-461, 40-360.06, 11-805, 30-301, 42-14155, 11-882, 11-883, 11-884, 30-303, 37-107, 37-133