This bill seeks to update current groundwater management statutes by establishing a Temporary Non-Expansion Area (TNA) designation process for regions outside of Active Management Areas (AMA) or Irrigation Non-Expansion Areas (INA). Key updates include the requirement for a petition to the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) signed by at least half of the irrigation users and 10% of registered voters in the groundwater basin or subbasin, as well as specific procedures for petition verification, public meetings, and elections. The bill also removes the requirement that a replacement well be drilled in approximately the same location and prohibits groundwater withdrawals for irrigation from non-exempt wells exceeding five acre-feet per acre of irrigated land per year if a TNA is established. Further amendments include the requirement for users withdrawing groundwater for irrigation and those withdrawing over 10 acre-feet for non-irrigation to utilize an approved water measuring device and file annual reports with the ADWR detailing groundwater use. The bill mandates a hydrological analysis by the Director of ADWR before the end of a 10-year moratorium period, replacing the previous requirement for a report on groundwater levels. Additionally, it allows the Director to decide on the continuation or lapse of the TNA designation after the analysis and deems land not irrigated in the 10 years prior to designation as having been in irrigation if substantial capital investment for irrigation was made. Overall, these changes aim to enhance local control and sustainable practices in groundwater management across Arizona.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-596, 16-168, 19-111, 45-445.01, 45-445.02, 45-445, 45-445.03, 45-834.01
House Engrossed Version: 45-596, 16-168, 19-111, 45-445.01, 45-445.02, 45-445, 45-445.03, 45-834.01
Senate Engrossed Version: 45-596, 16-168, 19-111, 45-445.01, 45-445.02, 45-445, 45-445.03, 45-834.01