The proposed bill would update current groundwater management statutes in Arizona by introducing new provisions that allow landowners in the Phoenix and Pinal active management areas to apply for groundwater savings credits through the permanent relinquishment of their irrigation grandfathered rights (IGFR). Key updates include conditions for groundwater associated with savings credits to be exempt from demonstrating physical availability, the requirement for the Director of ADWR to identify the amount of groundwater savings credits issued, and the establishment of a review of the groundwater savings program by December 31, 2033. The bill also allows holders of groundwater savings credits to pledge these credits to assured water supply applications and enables applicants to rely on these credits for certificates issued by December 31, 2030. Additionally, the bill prohibits municipalities from enforcing certain regulations in subdivisions where credits have been pledged and mandates reporting requirements for ADWR. It repeals the groundwater savings program on January 1, 2036 and requires the establishment of a new program for administering groundwater savings credits by December 31, 2035. The bill also clarifies that certain volumes of groundwater or stored water are exempt from the physical availability requirement for assured water supply applications, provided they are subject to groundwater savings credits, while ensuring compliance with other requirements. Overall, these updates aim to enhance water conservation efforts and provide a structured framework for sustainable groundwater management.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-465.05, 45-576, 45-576.08, 45-576.01, 41-1075, 45-114, 45-411.01, 45-561, 45-597, 45-598, 32-2101, 32-2181, 48-3772, 48-3774.01, 45-514, 45-515, 49-201, 45-497, 45-579, 45-576.02, 9-463.01, 11-823, 11-822
Senate Engrossed Version: 9-463.01, 9-500.53, 45-465.05, 45-463.03, 45-576, 45-576.08, 48-3772, 32-2101, 45-402, 45-108, 45-561, 45-108.02, 45-108.03, 9-463, 45-132, 45-632, 45-467, 45-802.01, 33-1802, 45-114, 45-597, 45-598, 45-563.03, 32-2181, 48-3774.01, 45-514, 45-515, 49-201, 45-497, 45-579, 45-576.02, 11-823, 11-822, 45-851.01
Chaptered Version: 9-463.01, 9-500.53, 45-465.05, 45-563.03, 45-576, 45-576.08, 48-3772, 32-2101, 45-402, 45-108, 45-561, 45-108.02, 45-108.03, 9-463, 45-132, 45-632, 45-467, 45-802.01, 33-1802, 45-114, 45-597, 45-598, 32-2181, 48-3774.01, 45-514, 45-515, 49-201, 45-497, 45-579, 45-576.02, 11-823, 11-822, 45-851.01