ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fourth Legislature Second Regular Session
	House: NREW DPA/SE 13-0-0-0-0

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HB 2620: ombudsman; assistance; surface water adjudications

law clinic; stream adjudications; appropriation

Sponsor:  Representative Bowers, LD 25

House Engrossed

Overview

Appropriates money to the University of Arizona in FY 2021 to establish a law clinic to provide pro bono assistance to general stream adjudication claimants who are not represented by legal counsel.

History

The general stream adjudications are judicial proceedings to determine the extent and priority of water rights in the Gila River and Little Colorado River systems (A.R.S. § 45-251 et seq.). The Gila River adjudication began in 1974 and is assigned to the Maricopa County Superior Court. The Little Colorado River adjudication began in 1978 and is assigned to the Apache County Superior Court.

Provisions

1. Appropriates $500,000 from the state General Fund to the University of Arizona to establish a law clinic to assist general stream adjudication claimants in FY 2021. (Sec. 2)

2. Allows a university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Board of Regents to offer pro bono expertise to general stream adjudication claimants who are not represented by counsel and whose adjusted gross income for any of the preceding three years is less than 500% of the federal poverty guidelines. (Sec. 1)

3. Restricts a university to only representing an adjudication claimant until that claimant proceeds to an evidentiary hearing or another contested proceeding that is similar to a trial. (Sec. 1)

4. Prohibits the university from representing a claimant at an evidentiary or similarly contested hearing if that claimant has not settled their claim. (Sec. 1)

5. Directs a university that provides legal assistance to submit an annual report of its activities to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate and provide a copy of the report to the Secretary of State by November 15. (Sec. 1)

6. Requires any university that provides legal assistance to coordinate with the faculty of an Arizona cooperative extension that has a program to support the economic vitality of rural communities and use of natural resources in those communities. (Sec. 1)

7. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing. (Sec. 2)

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11. Initials PAB                       House Engrossed

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