HB 2727
Initials CW Page 1 Natural Resources, Energy & Water
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
HB 2727: county water authority; post-2024 authority
Sponsor: Representative Biasiucci, LD 30
Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Overview
Modifies jurisdiction of and requirements for the creation of a County Water Authority
(authority) and outlines requirements and operational mechanisms for an Authority, based
on whether its date of establishment is before or after January 1, 2025.
History
Laws 1994, Chapter 54 established provisions relating to formation, appointment of and
administration by a board of directors, powers and duties, contracts and financial provisions.
An authority may be formed in any county with a population of more than 90,000 and less
than 120,000 persons. The members of an authority shall include municipal corporations that
have contracts with the U.S. for delivery of Colorado River water as of January 1, 1993. The
authority is authorized to develop, manage and operate water projects and participate in
contracts relating to Colorado River water rights (A.R.S. Title 45, chapter 13).
Provisions
1. Decreases the minimum population requirement for an authority from 90,000 persons to
15,000 persons. (Sec. 2)
2. Modifies requirements to formation of an Authority and specifies those requirements that
apply to Authorities that are formed before and after 2025. (Sec. 2)
3. Allows, rather than requires, the authority to include certain members. (Sec. 2)
4. Allows the county where the municipal corporation is located to be included as a member
of the Authority. (Sec. 2)
5. Adds approval by one or more municipal corporations, not including irrigation districts to
the list of ways to adopt the resolution of the authority's formation. (Sec. 2)
6. Requires that if an authority is formed January 1, 2025, or later that the transfer of a
member's contractual entitlement to the delivery of Colorado River water must occur at
any time prior to the authority forming. (Sec. 2)
7. Reduces the number of newspapers where notice of the authority's formation must be
published from three to one. (Sec. 2)
8. Expands criteria to be eligible for subsequent membership of the Authority to include
municipal corporations located in the county that own, control, contracts for or serves
Colorado River water, groundwater, effluent or water from any other source. (Sec. 2)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note HB 2727
Initials CW Page 2 Natural Resources, Energy & Water
9. Outlines membership of an authority's board for authorities formed both before and after
January 1, 2025. (Sec. 3)
10. Expands the authority's jurisdiction to include the request for the development of
conservation plans for the use of Colorado River water and use of other water. (Sec. 4)
11. Describes Authority responsibilities relating to acquisition and disposition of Colorado
River water based on whether an Authority was formed before or after January 1, 2025.
(Sec. 5 and 6)
12. Prescribes authority actions and requirements for authorities created after January 1,
2025. (Sec. 6)
13. Permits contracting for and apportionment of groundwater and water from any other
source. (Sec. 7)
14. Clarifies that existing requirements for the establishment, use and operation of the
authority's fund applies only for those authorities created prior to January 1, 2025. (Sec.
8)
15. Details actions, requirements and establishment of funds for authorities formed post
January 1, 2025. (Sec. 9)
16. Provides technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 10)