Assigned to WAG                                                                                                                           AS ENACTED

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session

ENACTED

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1145/H.B. 2617

temporary irrigation efficiency projects fund

Purpose

An emergency measure that limits, to only irrigation districts located in the Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA), the requirement that the only surface water a qualified irrigation district delivered in calendar year (CY) 2017 be Central Arizona Project water.

Background

Laws 2019, Chapter 1 established the Temporary Groundwater and Irrigation Efficiency Projects Fund (Efficiency Projects Fund) as part of the Drought Contingency Plan. The Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources administers the Efficiency Projects Fund and may grant monies to qualified irrigation districts located in the Phoenix AMA, the Pinal AMA and the Harquahala Irrigation Non‑Expansion Area for the construction and rehabilitation of wells and related infrastructure for the withdrawal and efficient delivery of groundwater.

            For purposes of the Efficiency Projects Fund, a qualified irrigation district is a district that meets the following requirements: 1) the district received Central Arizona Project water in any year after CY 2014 other than through a groundwater savings facility permit; 2) there are at least 9,000 acres that may be lawfully irrigated within the irrigation district boundaries; and 3) the district did not deliver surface water other than Central Arizona Project water in CY 2017 (A.R.S. § 45-615.01).

            There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Modifies the definition of a qualified irrigation district to limit, to only irrigation districts in the Phoenix AMA, the requirement that the district did not deliver surface water other than Central Arizona Project water in CY 2017.

2. Makes technical and conforming changes.

3. Becomes effective on signature of the Governor, if the emergency clause is enacted.

Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole

· Adds an emergency clause.

Senate Action House Action

WAG              1/30/20      DP     5-2-0                       NREW            1/28/20      11-1-0-1

3^rd Read          2/6/20                   28-1-1                     3^rd Read          2/11/20      50-8-1-1

                                                                                    (S.B. 1145 was substituted for H.B. 2617 on 3^rd Read)

Signed by the Governor 2/18/20

Chapter 2

Prepared by Senate Research

February 19, 2020

KN/gs