If enacted, this bill would amend current statutes by adding a new section to Title 45, Chapter 2, Article 5 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, specifically addressing irrigation grandfathered rights (IGFR) in subsequent active management areas (AMAs). The bill would allow owners of IGFRs to use, sell, transfer, or lease their rights and the associated water duty, even if they choose not to irrigate certain portions of their land. Additionally, it would permit recipients of these rights to utilize the associated water duty anywhere within the subsequent AMA for irrigation purposes and to further convey those rights.

The bill also introduces specific notification requirements for IGFR owners who intend to sell, transfer, or lease their rights. They must inform the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) using a prescribed form that details the acres not subject to irrigation, the type of conveyance, and the volume of groundwater involved. Furthermore, the Director is tasked with adopting rules to facilitate the implementation of these provisions, including the establishment of flexibility accounts or similar accounting methods. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the flexibility and usability of irrigation grandfathered rights in Arizona's water management framework.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-484