ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

House: NREW DP 5-4-0-0 | APPROP DPA 10-7-0-0

HB 2014: wells; intention to drill; appropriation

Sponsor: Representative Griffin, LD 19

Caucus & COW

Overview

Requires the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) to conduct an audit of all notices of intention to drill (NOI). Appropriates an unspecified amount from the state General Fund (GF) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 to ADWR for an audit of all NOIs.

History

In areas outside of an active management area (AMA), a person must file an NOI before drilling or deepening any existing well. In an area located in an AMA, a person must file an NOI before drilling an exempt well, a replacement well or deepening an existing well. Only one NOI is required for all wells that are drilled by or for the same person to obtain geophysical, mineralogical or geotechnical data within a single section of land.

An NOI must be filed with the Director of ADWR (Director) and include information as outlined in statute regarding: 1) the description and location of the land where the well is proposed to be drilled; 2) the depth, diameter and type of casing of the proposed well; 3) when construction is to begin; and 4) the proposed uses to which the groundwater will be applied (A.R.S. § 45-596).

An exempt well is a well that pumps a maximum of 35 gallons per minute and is used to withdraw groundwater (A.R.S. § 45-402).

Provisions

1. Requires the Director to conduct an audit of all NOIs that are filed with ADWR. (Sec. 1)

2. Requires the Director, for each NOI, to determine if the NOI resulted in the person drilling a new well or deepening an existing well. (Sec. 1)

3. Specifies that if the person acted on the NOI, the Director must determine:

a) if the well is active;

b) if the well has been removed, decommissioned or retired;

c) if the well uses a pump;

d) if the well is an exempt well;

e) the primary use of the well, including agricultural, commercial, manufacturing, mining, municipal, power generation, recreational or residential use. (Sec. 1)

4. Requires, by January 1, 2026, the Director to submit a report of its findings to the Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives and provide a copy to the Secretary of State. (Sec. 1)

5. Appropriates an unspecified amount from the state GF in FY 2025 to ADWR for an audit of all NOIs. (Sec. 2)

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

7. Contains a repeal date of June 30, 2026. (Sec. 1)

Amendments

Committee on Appropriations

1. Removes the FY 2025 appropriation of an unspecified amount.

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5. HB 2014

6. Initials EB Page 0 Caucus & COW

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