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REFERENCE TITLE: Colorado River water transfers; limit |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session 2023
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HB 2372 |
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Introduced by Representatives Biasiucci: Gillette, Senator Borrelli
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An Act
amending title 45, chapter 1, article 4, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 45-142; relating to colorado river water.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 45, chapter 1, article 4, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 45-142, to read:
45-142. Colorado River water transfers; limit; legislative intent
A. A cONTRACT HOLDER WITH A CONTRACT RIGHT IN EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 2023 FOR FOURTH PRIORITY COLORADO RIVER WATER AVAILABLE TO SATISFY ENTITLEMENTS IN this state THAT IS NOT CONTRACTED FOR DELIVERY THROUGH THE CENTRAL ARIZONA PROJECT MAY NOT TRANSFER OR OTHERWISE CONVEY THAT CLAIM FOR USE OF THAT WATER TO ANY LOCATION OR for USE OTHER THAN AN AGRICULTURAL, MUNICIPAL, DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL USE IN A COUNTY IN THIS STATE THAT IS ADJACENT TO THE WESTERN BORDER OF THIS STATE before January 1, 2033 or UNTIL lake mead exceeds an elevation of 1,090 feet, whichever is later.
B. THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO THE TRANSFER OF 2,033.01 ACRE FEET OF COLORADO RIVER WATER RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL BY THE DIRECTOR BY LETTER TO THE UNITED STATES BUREAU OF RECLAMATION ON JANUARY 20, 2021.
C. The Legislature intends:
1. To ensure that water users are not circumventing Colorado River water reductions by replacing those reductions with transferred water.
2. To convey that shortages on the Colorado river are due to prolonged drought and over-allocation, and halting transfers reflects the legislature's commitment to protecting the colorado river system.