HB2027

THE CONTEXT: The Groundwater Management Code (Code) was enacted in 1980 and established the statutory framework to regulate and control the use of groundwater. As part of the management framework, the Code designated five AMAs (Phoenix, Pinal, Prescott, Tucson and Santa Cruz) and three Irrigation Non-Expansion Areas (Douglas, Joseph City and Harquahala where specific regulations regarding withdrawal and use of groundwater apply (A.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would specifies that the requirements of an ordinance adopted by either a municipality or a county do not apply to any portion of a proposed subdivision that is included within the boundaries of a subsequent AMA, specifies that the exemption applies to subsequent AMAs, whether they are established by the ADWR Director or by petition and election, and state that a proposed subdivision located within a subsequent AMA is exempt from the requirement to obtain a certificate of assured water supply.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to define the water, land, energy, or environmental rule for subsequent amas more clearly. It would specifies that the requirements of an ordinance adopted by either a municipality or a county do not apply to any portion of a proposed subdivision that is included within the boundaries of a subsequent AMA, and would also specifies that the exemption applies to subsequent AMAs, whether they are established by the ADWR Director or by petition and election, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.