The proposed bill would amend existing statutes related to groundwater withdrawal fees and various environmental funds in Arizona. Specifically, it extends the moratorium on levying and collecting an annual groundwater withdrawal fee in the Pinal Active Management Area from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2031, and maintains the $2.50 per acre-foot cap on fees for groundwater and irrigation efficiency projects in the same area until January 1, 2031. Additionally, it delays the repeal dates for certain provisions, pushing them from 2026 and 2028 to 2031 and 2033, respectively.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new appropriations and authorizations for fiscal year 2026-2027, allowing the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to utilize funds for administrative costs and sewage remediation efforts. It also permits the Arizona Water Protection Fund Commission to allocate funds for administrative costs and maintains specific emission testing fees at their current levels. The bill sets a cap on the appropriation from the state General Fund to the Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund at $15 million for the same fiscal year.

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