This bill proposes updates to the Arizona Revised Statutes concerning groundwater management, specifically amending sections 45-611 and 45-615.01. The bill would allow the director to set the fee for Arizona water banking purposes in the Tucson and Phoenix active management areas, while maintaining a maximum fee of $2.50 per acre-foot per year. However, it would eliminate the fee for the Pinal active management area during the years 2020 through 2030, extending the current exemption period. Additionally, the bill would establish a similar fee structure for groundwater and irrigation efficiency projects in the Pinal active management area, also extending the applicable period to 2030.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the timeline for the distribution of unencumbered funds, changing the date from June 30, 2027, to June 30, 2032. It also specifies that any unencumbered funds attributable to groundwater withdrawal fees must be deposited into the Arizona water banking fund and used exclusively in the Pinal active management area. Lastly, the bill repeals section 45-615.01 as added by Laws 2019, chapter 1, section 7, effective March 31, 2033.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-611, 45-615.01, 45-411.01, 48-4831