This bill proposes to amend current statutes regarding irrigation grandfathered rights (IGFR) in Arizona's active management areas (AMAs). Under the new provisions, an owner of an IGFR would be allowed to use, sell, transfer, or lease their rights and the associated water duty in a subsequent AMA. Additionally, the owner could choose not to irrigate a portion of the land linked to the IGFR and could sell or lease the associated water duty for those non-irrigated acres to another irrigator. The original owner would also retain the right to use the full volume of the associated water duty on the remaining irrigated land.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that any owner proposing to sell, transfer, or lease their IGFR must notify the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) using a prescribed form. This form would require details about the acres not subject to irrigation, the type of conveyance, and the volume of groundwater that the recipient may use. 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 notification and regulation through the ADWR.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-484