House Engrossed

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fiftieth Legislature Second Regular Session 2012

HOUSE BILL 2363

 

AN ACT

 

establishing the joint legislative study committee on macro-harvested water.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.  Joint legislative study committee; macro-harvested water; membership; duties; reports; delayed repeal

A.  The joint legislative study committee on macro-harvested water is established consisting of:

1.  Three members of the senate who are appointed by the president of the senate, not more than two of whom are members of the same political party.

2.  Three members of the house of representatives who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, not more than two of whom are members of the same political party.

3.  The director of the department of water resources or the director's designee.

4.  The state land commissioner or the commissioner's designee.

5.  The director of the department of environmental quality or the director's designee.

6.  One representative of each of the following, appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives:

(a)  An agricultural improvement district.

(b)  A multi-county water conservation district.

(c)  A city with a population of more than one million persons.

(d)  A city with a population of more than five hundred thousand persons in a county with a population of more than eight hundred thousand persons but less than one million persons.

(e)  A city or town with a population of less than five hundred fifty thousand persons in a county with a population of more than one million persons.

(f)  A city or town with a population of more than thirty-eight thousand persons in a county with a population of more than two hundred ten thousand but less than two hundred twenty-five thousand persons.

(g)  A city or town other than those described in subdivision (c), (d), (e) or (f) of this paragraph.

(h)  An association of publicly owned water providers in a county with a population of more than one million five hundred thousand persons.

(i)  An association of municipal water users in a county with more than nine hundred eighty thousand persons but less than one million five hundred thousand persons.

(j)  An association of municipal water users in a rural area in this state.

(k)  Agricultural water users.

(l)  Persons who have specific knowledge, interest or experience in groundwater or surface water hydrology.

(m)  Persons who have specific knowledge, interest or experience in groundwater or surface water quality.

(n)  Attorneys who have specific knowledge or experience in watershed adjudication.

(o)  Indian tribes, nations, communities and bands in this state.

(p)  Industrial water users.

(q)  Environmental interests.

(r)  An association of county supervisors.

(s)  Irrigation districts.

(t)  The livestock industry.

B.  Members of the committee are not eligible for compensation or reimbursement of expenses.  The legislature shall provide staff support and meeting facilities for the committee.

C.  The committee shall:

1.  Propose a definition of macro-harvested water for inclusion in the final report required by paragraph 5 of this subsection.

2.  Study, analyze and evaluate issues arising from the collection and recovery of macro-harvested water, including reviewing scientific data on surface water, rainwater harvesting, methodology costs and benefits, potential impacts on water rights, downstream users, and potential aquifer management issues and groundwater management issues.

3.  Review relevant administrative rules and guidelines adopted by the department of water resources for water recharge in active management areas.

4.  Submit a status report of findings on or before December 15, 2012 to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives and provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

5.  Submit a final report of findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation on or before September 30, 2013 to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives and provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

D.  This section is repealed from and after September 30, 2014.

Sec. 2.  Emergency

This act is an emergency measure that is necessary to preserve the public peace, health or safety and is operative immediately as provided by law.