The proposed bill updates current statutes regarding irrigation grandfathered rights (IGFR) and groundwater management in Arizona. It introduces new provisions allowing landowners to apply for the addition of acres within the same groundwater basin to their existing IGFR, provided those acres have not been retired from irrigation. The bill also establishes a process for retiring acres from irrigation and substituting them with others, while requiring the relinquishment of IGFR for any retired acres. Additionally, it modifies the structure of the Groundwater Users Advisory Council (GUAC) by mandating that members be groundwater users and residents of Arizona, appointed by the county board of supervisors, and outlines procedures for member removal and recall. Moreover, the bill enhances the regulatory framework for subdivision development by clarifying water supply assurance requirements for subdividers in active management areas and introducing new provisions for the approval process of subdivisions. It emphasizes the need for municipalities to provide written notice of hearings affecting water supply regulations and updates terminology for clarity. The bill also removes redundant clauses and outdated references to streamline the legal framework, ultimately aiming to improve groundwater management and ensure better protection of public health and safety in relation to water resources.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-451
House Engrossed Version: 9-463.01, 11-823, 32-2181, 32-2183, 32-2197.08, 45-108, 45-465.05, 45-465.06, 45-465.07, 45-465.08, 45-576, 32-2101, 45-402, 45-561, 45-108.02, 45-108.03, 9-463, 11-821, 28-8461, 28-8486, 33-1202, 41-1801, 41-4273, 48-3772, 48-3774.01, 44-1844, 44-1845, 44-1846, 33-406, 37-102, 28-8484, 32-2183.05, 32-2183.06, 32-2184, 32-2154, 32-2157, 33-1215, 33-1219, 32-2181.02, 32-2181.01, 44-1522, 32-2197.04, 32-2197.07, 32-2197.14, 11-822, 45-463, 45-469, 45-465
Senate Engrossed Version: 9-463.01, 11-823, 32-2181, 32-2183, 32-2197.08, 45-108, 45-420, 45-421, 45-452, 45-465.05, 45-465.06, 45-465.07, 45-465.08, 45-569, 45-576, 32-2101, 45-402, 45-561, 45-108.02, 45-108.03, 9-463, 11-821, 28-8461, 28-8486, 33-1202, 41-1801, 41-4273, 48-3772, 48-3774.01, 44-1844, 44-1845, 44-1846, 33-406, 37-102, 28-8484, 32-2183.05, 32-2183.06, 32-2184, 32-2154, 32-2157, 33-1215, 33-1219, 32-2181.02, 32-2181.01, 44-1522, 32-2197.04, 32-2197.07, 32-2197.14, 11-822, 19-212, 45-2453, 45-2456, 45-172, 45-465.01, 45-465.02, 45-463, 45-469, 45-437, 45-472, 45-114, 45-465, 45-564, 45-568, 45-570, 45-571