HB2274

THE CONTEXT: Currently the process to establish a domestic water improvement district can begin after a petition is filed with the Clerk of the County BOS that is signed by a majority of real property owners within the proposed district. Upon receipt of the petition, the BOS sets a date within 45 days for a public hearing on the establishment and appointment of the Board of Directors for the improvement district ( A.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would allow the Cochise County BOS to on or before July 2, 2026, to vote to place a question on the ballot of the 2026 general election a question to establish a domestic water improvement district, provide permitted duties, jurisdiction and requirements for the domestic water improvement district, and require the Cochise County BOS to establish and make public the boundaries of the proposed domestic water improvement district prior to the election for the domestic water improvement district.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to create an operative state process for water improvement district instead of leaving implementation undefined. It would allow the Cochise County BOS to on or before July 2, 2026, to vote to place a question on the ballot of the 2026 general election a question to establish a domestic water improvement district, and would also provide permitted duties, jurisdiction and requirements for the domestic water improvement district, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.