PREFILED    DEC 16 2021

REFERENCE TITLE: well drilling; groundwater basins

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2022

SB 1023

Introduced by

Senator Steele

AN ACT

amending Title 45, chapter 2, article 10, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 45-596.02; relating to wells.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

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

Section 1. Title 45, chapter 2, article 10, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 45-596.02, to read:

START_STATUTE45-596.02. Well drilling moratorium; upper San Pedro, Verde Valley groundwater basins; exemptions

Beginning on the effective date of this section, a person may not construct and the department may not issue a permit or drilling card for a new well in the upper San Pedro groundwater basin or the Verde Valley groundwater subbasin, except for:

1. A replacement well as prescribed in rules adopted by the director.

2. A well that the director determines will not pump the subflow of a river system or source.

3. A well that is constructed after the conclusion of the general adjudication of water rights in the Gila River. END_STATUTE