This bill proposes several updates to the Arizona Revised Statutes concerning water management. It introduces new definitions, including "ecological water needs," which refers to water necessary to sustain freshwater ecosystems, and "watershed health uses," which pertains to conserved water that supports watershed health attributes. The bill also modifies existing definitions by renumbering them and removing outdated language. Additionally, it mandates the director of water resources to establish standard measures for defining ecological water needs and to publish a preliminary survey of the state's water status by December 31, 2025, which will include assessments of watershed health and recommendations for statutory changes.

Furthermore, the bill requires annual water supply and demand assessments for groundwater basins and a triennial report on watershed health, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among state agencies in providing relevant information. It also clarifies that applications for water appropriation for watershed health uses are exempt from certain regulations. The bill includes provisions for public engagement in the survey process and establishes a timeline for the director to respond to public comments. Lastly, it sets a repeal date for this section after September 30, 2027, ensuring that the provisions are reviewed and potentially updated in the future.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-101, 45-105, 45-151, 45-152.01, 45-172, 701-1, 96-510, 45-403, 45-833.01, 45-152