HB2020 proposes amendments to the Arizona Revised Statutes related to long-term storage credits for water. The bill would allow a person who develops infrastructure in an Active Management Area (AMA) that leads to increased natural, incidental, or artificial recharge of the groundwater basin to earn and hold long-term storage credits. The amount of these credits would be limited to the level of increased recharge or projected increased recharge.

The bill also mandates that by January 1, 2025, the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources must adopt rules to encourage the construction of new facilities eligible for these credits. These facilities could include stormwater detention basins, roadways, sidewalks, and other public infrastructure that facilitate rainwater or stormwater recharge. The rules will outline the application process, certification procedures for qualifying infrastructure, eligibility criteria, and methods for quantifying increased recharge and the corresponding long-term storage credits expected over the infrastructure's useful life. Additionally, applicants for these credits would be exempt from the permitting requirements typically necessary for underground storage facilities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-815.01, 45-861.01, 45-131
House Engrossed Version: 45-815.01, 45-861.01, 45-131