The proposed bill, HB2200, amends the Arizona groundwater code to allow public service corporations to transport groundwater from the Harquahala Irrigation Non-expansion Area (INA) to an initial active management area (AMA). This addition expands the list of eligible entities that can withdraw and transport groundwater, which previously included only the state and its political subdivisions. The bill stipulates that public service corporations must be regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission, hold a certificate of convenience and necessity for water service in an initial AMA, and own eligible irrigable land in the INA. Additionally, all costs associated with the groundwater transport must be collected from the customers of the corporation's water district.

The bill also introduces new requirements for entities wishing to transport groundwater, including compliance with hydrological studies, installation of water measuring devices, and monthly reporting to the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) on the volume of groundwater withdrawn and its end use. Furthermore, the ADWR is tasked with adopting rules to implement these provisions and must submit an annual report detailing the amount of groundwater withdrawn and transported from the Harquahala INA. Notably, the ADWR is exempt from standard rulemaking requirements for one year following the bill's enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-554
House Engrossed Version: 45-554