ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

House: NREW DP 9-0-0-1

HB 2691: groundwater replenishment districts; annual dues

Sponsor: Representative Griffin, LD 19

Caucus & COW

Overview

Modifies the formula for the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD) to determine annual membership dues.

History

The Central Arizona Project was established on September 30, 1968 by the Colorado River Basin Project Act (USPL 1967, Chapter 57, page 380). The Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD), a special taxing district, was established for the purposes of:

1) contracting with the U.S. Secretary of Interior for delivery of Arizona’s CAP water;

2) repaying the federal government for the state’s share of CAP construction costs; and

3) operation and maintenance of the CAP aqueduct (A.R.S. Title 48, Chapter 22).

In 1993, the Legislature expanded CAWCD’s authority to include groundwater replenishment within the Phoenix, Pinal and Tucson Active Management Areas (AMAs) (A.R.S. Title 48, Chapter 22, Article 4). The replenishment authority of the CAWCD is referred to as the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD). Membership in the CAGRD provides a method for landowners and water providers to demonstrate consistency with AMA management goals and the Assured Water Supply (AWS) rules. Membership is voluntary and carries certain financial responsibilities. CAGRD is responsible for replenishing the amount of groundwater that exceeds pumping limitations that have been established by assured water supply rules. Replenishment may occur through operation of underground storage facilities or groundwater savings facilities. CAGRD is required to establish a replenishment reserve for both current and future member service areas and member lands (Laws 1993, Chapter 200).

Provisions

1. Modifies the calculation to determine the amount of revenue to be raised through CAGRD annual membership dues that is allocated between member lands based on the volume of groundwater use per lot and the total number of member land lots enrolled. (Sec. 1)

2. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1)

Amendments

Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water

1. Prohibits the annual membership dues on any parcel of member land for billing year 2026-2027 be a higher rate charged than that of billing year 2025-2026.

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5. HB 2691

6. Initials CW Page 0 Caucus & COW

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