This bill proposes several updates to current Arizona water statutes. It clarifies the definitions of "Groundwater" and "Riparian area," specifying that groundwater does not include water in underground streams with ascertainable beds and banks, and that riparian areas are characterized by specific ecological features while excluding certain artificial water bodies. Additionally, it introduces the term "Watershed health uses," which refers to water conserved in natural watercourses that supports watershed health attributes. The bill also modifies the reporting requirements for water supply assessments, changing the frequency from annually to every three years and requiring a comprehensive assessment of watershed health.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the director of the department of water resources to establish standard measures for ecological water needs and to publish a preliminary survey of the state's waters by December 31, 2028. This survey will include assessments of watershed health and recommendations for statutory changes to support ecological water needs. The bill also emphasizes the cooperation of state agencies in providing relevant information for the survey and outlines a process for public engagement and comment on the survey findings. Lastly, it includes a sunset provision, repealing this section after September 30, 2029.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-101, 45-105, 45-151, 45-152.01, 45-172, 701-1, 96-510, 45-403, 45-833.01, 45-152