The proposed bill would amend current statutes related to irrigation grandfathered rights (IGFR) in Arizona's active management areas (AMAs). Specifically, it would allow owners of IGFRs in subsequent AMAs to use, sell, transfer, or lease their rights and the associated water duty. Additionally, it would permit these owners to choose not to irrigate certain portions of their land while still being able to sell or lease the associated water duty to other irrigators within the same AMA. The bill also stipulates that recipients of the transferred water duty can use it anywhere in the subsequent AMA for irrigation purposes.

Furthermore, the bill introduces requirements for notifying the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) when an IGFR is sold, transferred, or leased. This notification must be done using a prescribed form that details the acres not subject to irrigation, the type of conveyance, and the volume of groundwater that can be used. The Director is also tasked with adopting rules to implement these changes, including the establishment of flexibility accounts or similar accounting methods. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the flexibility and usability of IGFRs in subsequent AMAs while ensuring proper oversight and documentation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-484
Senate Engrossed Version: 45-484