Bill > HB2477

This bill establishes a new requirement for agricultural land lessees on state lands located outside of active management areas or irrigation non-expansion areas to pay an annual groundwater withdrawal fee. Specifically, lessees must submit a detailed report to the state department by March 31st each year, which includes the location of their water well, the quantity of groundwater withdrawn in the previous calendar year, and the specific uses of that groundwater. The department will establish rules for collecting this fee, and the collected fees will be deposited into the fund of the appropriate beneficiary. The bill's legislative intent emphasizes that the fee should reflect the fair market value of the groundwater withdrawn. Key terms are defined using existing definitions from section 45-402, including "active management area" (a designated region with specific water management requirements), "irrigation non-expansion area" (another type of regulated water management zone), and "irrigation use" (specific agricultural water application). The bill aims to create more transparency and potentially generate revenue from groundwater use on state-leased agricultural lands.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/82258