Assigned
to NR & APPROP FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
appropriation; groundwater facilities; maintenance
Purpose
Appropriates $250,000 from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2026 to the State Natural Resource Conservation Board (Board) to clean and restore artificial groundwater recharge facilities that are located in a subsequent active management area (AMA) and provide flood control benefits.
Background
In 2024, the Legislature established the Board for the purposes of restoring and conserving land and soil resources, preserving water rights, controlling and preventing soil erosion, conserving natural resources and wildlife, protecting the tax base, protecting public lands and rivers and restoring rivers and streams in such a manner to protect and promote the public health, safety and general welfare of Arizona. The Board consists of eight members from different geographic natural resource conservation districts in Arizona (A.R.S. 41-6001).
The Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) may designate an area which is not included within an initial AMA as a subsequent AMA if the Director of ADWR determines that: 1) active management practices are necessary to preserve the existing supply of groundwater for future needs; 2) land subsidence or fissuring is endangering property or potential groundwater storage capacity; or 3) use of groundwater is resulting in actual or threatened water quality degradation (ADWR; A.R.S. 45-412).
H.B. 2087 appropriates $250,000 from the state GF in FY 2026 to the Board to clean and restore artificial groundwater recharge facilities.
Provisions
1. Appropriates $250,000 from the state GF in FY 2026 to the Board to clean and restore artificial groundwater recharge facilities that:
a) are located in a groundwater basin that has been designated as a subsequent AMA; and
b) provide flood control benefits.
2. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
NREW 2/11/25 DPA 6-4-0-0
APPROP 2/24/25 DPA 11-6-0-1
3rd Read 3/10/25 31-25-4
Prepared by Senate Research
March 21, 2025
SB/SN/slp