Bill > SB1611

This bill creates a comprehensive groundwater savings credit program in Arizona, primarily focusing on the Phoenix and Pinal Active Management Areas. It allows landowners with irrigation grandfathered water rights to permanently relinquish those rights in exchange for groundwater savings credits, which can then be used to support water supply designations for new developments. Key provisions include allowing landowners to convert irrigation water rights into credits based on historical water usage, with conversion multipliers of 150 acre-feet in the Phoenix area and 100 acre-feet in the Pinal area. The bill also restricts municipalities in these areas from imposing certain landscaping requirements in subdivisions using these credits, such as mandatory tree plantings or minimum turf areas. The groundwater savings credit program is set to expire on December 31, 2035, unless the Director of Water Resources determines it remains beneficial for specific active management areas. The legislation aims to promote water conservation by incentivizing the transfer of water rights from agricultural to urban uses while maintaining strict guidelines on water usage and development. The bill requires the director to conduct studies and submit reports on the program's effectiveness and requires consultation with water conservation districts to ensure responsible water management.