This bill proposes several updates to current Arizona statutes regarding water management and wildlife preservation. Key changes include the replacement of the term "expend funds" with "spend monies" in various contexts, which reflects a more modern terminology. Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions that allow for the acquisition and leasing of surface water rights specifically for "watershed health uses" and instream uses, thereby expanding the scope of water rights management. It also mandates a triennial report assessing the overall health of each watershed in the state, focusing on various ecological attributes.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies the definitions and processes surrounding water appropriation, emphasizing the inclusion of watershed health uses alongside traditional uses such as irrigation and recreation. It modifies existing language to ensure that the Arizona Game and Fish Department is explicitly included in water appropriation processes. The bill also streamlines the approval process for severing and transferring water rights, ensuring that such actions do not infringe upon existing rights and require appropriate consent from relevant governing bodies. Overall, these updates aim to enhance the management of water resources while promoting ecological health and sustainability.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 17-231, 17-298, 45-101, 45-105, 45-151, 45-152.01, 45-172, 48-3713.03, 5-572, 37-803, 701-1, 96-510, 45-403, 45-833.01, 45-152