This bill proposes several updates to the Arizona Revised Statutes concerning water management. It introduces new definitions, such as "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. The bill also modifies existing definitions by renumbering them and removing outdated language.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 includes assessments of watershed health and recommendations for statutory changes.

Furthermore, the bill requires annual water supply and demand assessments for groundwater basins and introduces a new reporting requirement every three years on the overall health of each watershed. It emphasizes the need for cooperation among state agencies in providing relevant information for these assessments. The bill also includes provisions for public engagement in the survey process, such as open meetings and responses to public comments. Lastly, it sets a repeal date for certain sections of the new law after September 30, 2027, ensuring a review of its effectiveness.

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