ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

HB 2249: state lands; leases; renewal applications

Sponsor: Representative Griffin, LD 14

Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Overview

Requires the State Land Department (Department) to accept state land lease renewal applications by mail and electronically and prohibits the Department from considering how an application was submitted when determining whether to renew a lease.

History

Leasing State Trust Lands

A lessee of state lands has a preferred right to renewal for a term of no more than ten years if they are an Arizona resident or legally authorized to transact business in the state. This preferred renewal right does not apply to a lessee who has not complied with the lease terms or who has not placed the land to the use prescribed in the lease during its term or within the time prescribed. Someone must submit their lease renewal application between 30 days to a year before the lease expires. The Department will determine if the lease will be renewed. The lease will not be renewed if the Department determines the continued leasing of the land is not in the best interest of the state trust (A.R.S. § 37-291).

Water Storage Facilities on State Trust Lands

In 2016, the Legislature directed the State Land Commissioner and Arizona Department of Water Resources Director to create a plan to construct new water storage facilities and identify six potential sites for construction on State Trust Lands. Pursuant to this law, these departments also published a report detailing their activities, findings and recommendations. These requirements terminated on September 30, 2018 (Laws 2016, Chapter 164).

Provisions

1. Requires the Department to accept state lands renewal applications by mail and electronically. (Sec. 1)

2. Prohibits the Department from considering how a renewal application was submitted when determining whether to renew a lease. (Sec. 1)

3. Directs the State Land Commissioner and Arizona Department of Water Resources Director to develop a plan to create additional water storage by investigating potential sites on State Trust Lands to construct new water storage facilities. (Sec. 2)

4. Requires these parties to identify at least six acceptable sites for these facilities. (Sec. 2)

5. Instructs these parties to submit a report on their activities, findings, and recommendations by December 31, 2021 to the Governor, Senate President, Speaker of the House and members of the Senate Water and Agriculture Committee and House of Representatives Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee. (Sec. 2)

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9. HB 2249

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