HB 2060
Initials EB/BSR Page 1 House Engrossed
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
Second Regular Session
House: NREW DP 5-4-0-1
HB 2060: irrigation non-expansion area; substitution; acres
Sponsor: Representative Griffin, LD 19
House Engrossed
Overview
Authorizes a person who owns land in an irrigation non-expansion area (INA) that may be
irrigated to permanently retire or substitute those lands or use the associated water for any
end use.
History
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 initially designated four active management areas and
two INAs in areas of the state where groundwater overdraft was most severe. Currently there
are three INAs: Joseph City, Harquahala, and Hualapai Valley (A.R.S. §§ 45-431, 45-
554)(SOS).
When an INA is designated, only those lands that were legally irrigated at any time during
the five years preceding its creation can be irrigated. This restriction does not apply to fields
that are two acres or smaller or lands where substantial capital investment for irrigation was
made during that five-year period. Each person who withdraws groundwater for irrigation or
more than 10 acre-feet of groundwater for domestic uses from a non-exempt well (one that
pumps over 35 gallons per minute) must meter the well. Additionally, anyone using a non-
exempt well in an INA must file an annual report with the Arizona Department of Water
Resources (ADWR)(A.R.S. § 45-437).
Provisions
1. Allows a person who owns acres of land in an INA that may be irrigated to:
a) permanently retire those acres from irrigation;
b) substitute for those acres the same number of acres in the same INA; and
c) use the associated water for any end use. (Sec. 2)
2. Requires a person to demonstrate to the ADWR Director's satisfaction that the
substitution of acres will not lead to a net increase in groundwater withdrawal in the
INA. (Sec. 2)
3. Prohibits the ADWR Director from conditionally approving a person's application to
substitute acres for the person reducing the person's groundwater use. (Sec. 2)
4. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note