SB1264 is a bill that amends the requirements for filing a Notice of Intention to Drill (NOI) a well in areas of Arizona adjacent to the Colorado River. The bill mandates that any person filing an NOI who holds an entitlement to Colorado River water must include a statement from the relevant local governing body (municipality, county, irrigation district, or county water authority) indicating that they do not object to the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) granting a drill permit. This requirement applies to NOIs for wells located within city limits or water service areas of cities or towns, within boundaries or water service areas of irrigation districts, and within five miles of the Colorado River in the boundaries of a water service area of a county water authority.

The bill also stipulates that the NOI must be submitted to the local governing body before being sent to ADWR, and the governing body has 45 days to approve or reject the NOI. If the governing body does not act within this timeframe, ADWR will assume there is no objection. Additionally, the bill repeals the requirement for ADWR to notify the Secretary of State and the Executive Director of the Arizona Legislative Council when final regulations for administering Colorado River water entitlements are published in the federal register. The bill makes technical and conforming changes and becomes effective on the general effective date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 45-596, 45-596.01, 45-834.01, 32-1121, 45-454, 45-597, 45-598, 49-201, 96-510, 49-286, 94-580, 99-499, 35-146, 35-147, 45-606
Senate Engrossed Version: 45-596, 45-596.01, 45-834.01, 32-1121, 45-454, 45-597, 45-598, 49-201, 96-510, 49-286, 94-580, 99-499, 35-146, 35-147, 45-606