Bill > HB2965

This bill addresses various environmental and water-related funding provisions for fiscal year 2025-2026. The legislation allows the Arizona Water Protection Fund Commission to grant up to $336,000 to the Department of Water Resources for administrative costs. The Department of Environmental Quality is authorized to use up to $6,531,000 from the Underground Storage Tank Revolving Fund for administrative expenses and to remediate sewage discharge issues in border areas like Naco. The Arizona Water Banking Fund can be used by the Arizona Navigable Stream Adjudication Commission to pay legal fees. The bill limits the appropriation from the state general fund to the Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund to $15 million. Additionally, the Department of Environmental Quality is directed to reduce vehicle emissions testing fees in Area A (typically the greater Phoenix metropolitan area) by 5% and is exempted from standard rulemaking requirements for fee establishment until July 1, 2026. Lastly, the Arizona Department of Agriculture is given flexibility to lower existing fees for funds held in trust and is authorized to adopt emergency rules for modifying fees in the Dangerous Plants, Pests and Diseases Trust Fund, with input from the industry and review by the department's advisory council.

Budget and Finance

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/83499