This bill proposes to amend the Arizona Revised Statutes by adding a new section, 37-292, which establishes an annual groundwater withdrawal fee for lessees of state agricultural land located outside of active management areas or irrigation non-expansion areas. The bill mandates that these lessees report specific information regarding their groundwater use, including the location of the well, the quantity of groundwater withdrawn, and the uses of that groundwater during the previous calendar year. The fees collected will be deposited into the fund of the appropriate beneficiary.

Additionally, the bill clarifies definitions related to "active management area," "irrigation non-expansion area," and "irrigation use" by referencing existing statutes. It emphasizes that the annual groundwater withdrawal fee should reflect the fair market value of the groundwater withdrawn, aligning the fee structure with the interests of the state land trust. Overall, this legislation aims to enhance the management and regulation of groundwater use on state lands.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 37-292