Bill > HB2091

This bill provides a special process for reviewing and potentially issuing certificates of assured water supply in the Phoenix active management area for applications submitted between January 26, 2021, and August 31, 2023, that have not yet been processed. Under this bill, when a municipal water provider applies for such a certificate, they must commit to calculating and reporting their excess groundwater usage each year and offer to assign 25% of those long-term storage credits to the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District. The district may choose to purchase these credits at a price based on the average per-acre-foot price paid in the previous five years. If an application was originally supported by specific groundwater models (the 2006-2009 Salt River Valley regional model or the 2006 Lower Hassayampa Sub-basin groundwater flow model), the Department of Water Resources must determine that the application meets physical groundwater availability requirements. The bill allows applicants to request a review of their pending or previously withdrawn applications, and any certificate issued will be treated as if it was issued in 2023 for future water supply designations. This provision is set to expire on December 31, 2028, and is designed to help manage and track groundwater usage in the Phoenix area.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/81764