Bill > HB2272

This bill amends Arizona's stormwater quality regulations to expand and clarify county authorities related to managing municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s). Specifically, the bill allows counties required to obtain pollutant discharge elimination system permits to develop and implement stormwater pollution prevention plans, adopt necessary ordinances and regulations, establish permit programs, and enforce rules related to stormwater management. The bill permits counties to collect fees for permit administration and inspections, but prohibits using these fees for infrastructure costs. The legislation also limits county regulatory powers by stipulating that ordinances cannot be more stringent than federal Clean Water Act requirements and cannot regulate activities that do not discharge to protected surface waters. The bill clarifies that counties cannot require additional permits for entities already holding federal or state pollutant discharge elimination system permits. An important modification expands the definition of "county" to include those operating medium or large separate storm sewer systems, in addition to small municipal systems. The bill maintains requirements for public notification and transparency when counties adopt new stormwater-related rules, including filing summaries with the secretary of state and making proposed regulations publicly available.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/82027