ARIZONA STATE SENATE

RESEARCH STAFF

LIAM MAHER

LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH ANALYST

APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

Telephone: (602) 926-3171

TO:                  MEMBERS OF THE SENATE

APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

DATE:            March 22, 2019

SUBJECT:      Strike everything amendment to H.B. 2124, relating to appropriations; courts; water master

Purpose

Appropriates $289,500 from the state General Fund (GF) in FY 2020 to the Administrative Office of the Courts for purposes relating to water litigation.

Background

Statute authorizes any water user whose rights have not been previously adjudicated, or the state on behalf of a state agency, to file a petition to have the extent and priority of all water rights determined for the river system in the superior court of the county where the majority of water users claiming water rights in the watershed reside. Arizona’s general stream adjudications are conducted pursuant to statutory requirements to determine the water rights of the watershed (A.R.S. Title 45, Chapter 1, Article 9).

In FY 2018, 710 water rights claims were filed by individuals, communities, governments and companies. The Special Water Master conducts hearings for each claimant and makes recommendations to a superior court judge. The FY 2020 Baseline includes $191,300 from the state GF for the Special Water Master (JLBC Baseline).

The strike-everything amendment to H.B. 2124 appropriates $289,500 from the state GF in FY 2020.

Provisions

1. Appropriates the following sums from the state GF in FY 2020 to the Administrative Office of the Courts for purposes related to superior court water litigation:

a) $200,000 to digitize documents;

b) $50,000 to create an electronic case management system;

c) $35,000 for a part-time court reporter; and

d) $4,500 for a part-time administrative assistant.

2. Exempts the appropriations from lapsing.

3. States it is the Legislature's intent that the appropriated monies for employee expenditures related to the Special Water Master in a line item in the appropriation to the Supreme Court in the FY 2020 budget.

4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.