HB2031

THE CONTEXT: On December 19, 2024, the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) Director issued a findings, decision and order to designate the Willcox Groundwater Basin as a subsequent AMA. The date of designation was January 8, 2025 ( A.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would declares a person claiming a grandfathered right, in the Willcox AMA, must file an application with ADWR for a certificate of grandfathered right no later than 27 months after the date of designation of the AMA, repeals, on January 1, 2027, the period for application for a certificate of grandfathered right in the Willcox AMA, and make the legislation retroactive to January 8th,.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to make the government process for grandfathered right more definite and accountable. It would declares a person claiming a grandfathered right, in the Willcox AMA, must file an application with ADWR for a certificate of grandfathered right no later than 27 months after the date of designation of the AMA, and would also repeals, on January 1, 2027, the period for application for a certificate of grandfathered right in the Willcox AMA, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.