The proposed bill amends Arizona's water management laws by updating penalties for late annual water reports, revising terms for irrigation in non-expansion areas, and establishing local groundwater stewardship areas. Penalties for delinquent reports are now $25 per month overdue, with a cap of $150. The bill allows for acreage substitution in irrigation non-expansion areas under certain conditions and extends water measuring device requirements to local groundwater stewardship areas, with potential exemptions.

The bill also sets up a framework for creating local groundwater stewardship areas, managed by a council appointed by the governor and consisting of various stakeholders. The council's responsibilities include developing water management plans, holding public hearings, and recommending conservation practices. The director of water resources will oversee the approval of council actions and the adoption of conservation rules within these areas. Additionally, the bill allocates $50 million from the state lottery fund to the Department of Water Resources Local Groundwater Stewardship Fund to support these initiatives.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5-572, 9-461.05, 11-804, 11-823, 45-119, 45-401, 45-432, 45-433, 45-435, 45-437, 45-437.04, 45-453, 45-512, 45-598, 45-604, 45-632, 5-555, 17-297, 8-481, 15-1643, 36-697, 36-274, 41-563, 35-190, 41-1545.01, 15-1682.03, 9-461.06, 28-8461, 28-8481, 45-655, 45-656, 11-821, 32-2101, 45-402, 45-108, 45-561, 45-108.02, 45-108.03, 35-313, 45-651, 45-653, 45-654, 45-412, 16-168, 19-111, 45-431, 45-172, 45-437.01, 45-437.02, 45-437.03, 35-146, 35-147, 45-452, 45-513, 45-514, 45-515, 45-516, 45-517, 45-518, 45-519, 45-519.01, 45-599, 45-521, 45-563.02