This bill proposes significant updates to current Arizona groundwater management statutes by introducing new definitions and requirements specifically for "rural groundwater management areas." It establishes mandatory water adequacy requirements for subdivisions in these areas, stipulating that the board of supervisors cannot approve final plats without an adequate water supply as determined by the director of water resources. The bill also mandates written notice to relevant parties when councils adopt water adequacy requirements, enhancing transparency and accountability in groundwater management.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing language to clarify the roles of the director and subdividers, deletes outdated terms, and introduces new provisions for groundwater use certificates, including a public registry and criteria for issuing these certificates. It establishes a rural groundwater management area council with defined responsibilities and creates a fund to support conservation efforts. The bill also expands the scope of regulations to include rural areas, ensuring consistent management practices and enhancing the sustainability of groundwater resources across Arizona.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 11-823, 32-2181, 32-2183, 32-2197.08, 33-406, 41-1005, 45-108, 45-108.01, 45-402, 45-453, 45-454, 45-596, 45-597, 45-598, 45-599, 45-601, 45-604, 45-632, 45-635, 45-812.01, 45-831.01, 45-832.01, 45-834.01, 45-841.01, 45-852.01, 45-855.01, 45-2602, 11-821, 32-2101, 45-561, 45-108.02, 45-108.03, 45-441.11, 28-8461, 28-8486, 33-1202, 41-1801, 41-4273, 48-3772, 48-3774.01, 45-576, 44-1844, 44-1845, 44-1846, 45-441.13, 9-463.01, 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, 33-411, 5-321, 5-322, 5-327, 17-332, 28-641, 6-125, 3-1086, 41-4010, 41-4042, 32-2067, 32-2132, 5-111, 41-511.05, 36-2205, 36-3409, 28-7048, 32-1527, 46-805, 23-908, 3-414, 26-303, 35-192, 28-7705, 36-2901.08, 3-605, 111-353, 3-109.03, 41-1012, 11-822, 45-114, 3-1201, 45-414, 45-415, 45-411, 45-411.02, 45-411.03, 45-437, 45-465, 45-564, 45-568, 45-483, 45-463, 45-464, 45-469, 45-472, 45-494.01, 45-591.01, 45-441.10, 45-441.06, 45-441.01, 45-404, 45-441.02, 45-802.01, 45-441.03, 45-441.04, 16-168, 19-111, 45-441.05, 45-441.08, 45-441.07, 45-441.09, 45-441.12, 45-441.14, 45-441.15, 35-190, 35-313, 45-593, 45-600, 45-594, 45-595, 32-1121, 49-201, 96-510, 49-286, 94-580, 99-499, 35-146, 35-147, 45-606, 45-515, 45-521, 45-563.02, 45-634, 45-875.01, 45-854.01, 45-871.01, 45-851.01, 45-591, 45-514, 48-3771, 45-859.01, 45-853.01, 45-2611, 45-412