Bill > HB2298

This bill establishes a new process for landowners in Arizona's active management areas to permanently relinquish their irrigation groundwater rights in exchange for a physical availability exemption credit. Specifically, landowners can apply to the director to surrender some or all of their irrigation rights, which will then allow them to withdraw a specified volume of groundwater (ranging from 0.5 to 2 acre-feet per irrigation acre, depending on the specific active management area) with varying replenishment obligations. The credits can be used to support assured water supply applications for land within one mile of the retired irrigation acres, and the bill provides detailed rules for how these credits can be applied, transferred, and used. The legislation aims to provide flexibility for water use while maintaining groundwater management goals, with different rules for the Phoenix, Tucson, and Pinal active management areas. The bill also specifies that the groundwater volume associated with these credits can be exempt from physical availability requirements if certain conditions are met, such as demonstrating the ability to withdraw water for 100 years without exceeding specific depth-to-water levels. Additionally, the credits can be assigned to municipal providers or subsequent landowners, and can be used to support water supply designations.