This bill proposes significant updates to the Arizona groundwater code by amending section 45-558 and adding article 13 to title 45, chapter 2 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. It introduces new provisions allowing individuals with grandfathered rights to groundwater in the Phoenix, Tucson, or Pinal active management areas to sell, lease, or convey their rights to pump groundwater. The bill specifies that such transactions must be reported to the department, detailing various aspects such as the parties involved, transaction costs, and the amount of groundwater affected. Additionally, it establishes guidelines for the withdrawal locations and the treatment of groundwater rights in relation to assured water supply certificates.

The bill also includes provisions that exempt conveyed groundwater from replenishment obligations and allows it to be counted towards obtaining a certificate of assured water supply. It mandates that a portion of the groundwater forgone by sellers be allocated to the common aquifer and treated as inflow for water modeling purposes. Furthermore, it clarifies that the department cannot impose additional restrictions on existing grandfathered rights unless they are sold or leased under the new provisions. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the management and transferability of groundwater rights while ensuring compliance with existing regulations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-558, 3-201