The proposed bill would amend current statutes regarding the management and use of water bodies in Arizona. It introduces new requirements for the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) to review applications for certificates of assured water supply, particularly for land in the Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA) submitted between January 26, 2021, and August 31, 2023. The bill mandates that if certain conditions are met, ADWR must issue a new written determination of action. Additionally, it establishes that certificates issued under these new provisions will relate back to 2023 for applications concerning assured water supply designations.

Furthermore, the bill modifies existing regulations on the use of water in recreational facilities and bodies of water. It specifies that bodies of water constructed before January 1, 2026, can be used to transport water for landscape or recreational purposes under certain conditions, including the requirement for measuring devices and annual reporting to the director. The bill also prohibits the use of groundwater for initial fills or to compensate for seepage and evaporation losses unless authorized. It repeals certain provisions related to certificates of assured water supply by January 1, 2029, and ensures that all remaining requirements for such certificates remain applicable.

Statutes affected:
House Engrossed Version: 45-132