Assigned to NR & APPROP                                                                                                   FOR COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session

 

FACT SHEET FOR H.C.R. 2016

 

reinstatement; WIFA monies

Purpose

Expresses the Legislature's commitment to long-term water security and to reinstating the full appropriation envisioned for the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA).

Background

WIFA is an independent state authority established to help meet Arizona's existing and future water needs. In 2022, the Legislature expanded the powers and duties of WIFA and restructured state-funded WIFA funds to expand fund eligibility and fund purposes (Laws 2022, Ch. 366). These purposes include developing or facilitating water conservation, reuse and augmentation projects. WIFA may accomplish its purpose individually, through collaboration or by partnering with public or private entities. If possible, WIFA can leverage existing resources and infrastructure while not interfering with already available usable water resources (A.R.S. ยง 49-1205).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1.   Expresses Arizona's commitment to investing in long-term solutions to alleviate the impacts of water scarcity in urban and rural Arizona.

2.   Deems that WIFA's mission is critical to Arizona's current and future economic and environmental health.

3.   Declares that WIFA's solicitation for procurement is an effective way to facilitate the development of sustainable, effective and responsible projects to augment Arizona's water supply.

4.   Declares that the scale of infrastructure needed to secure new water supplies will require private capital and private sector partnership to be economically feasible.

5.   Expresses, as budgetary conditions improve, the Legislature's commitment to working with WIFA to reemphasize its commitment to long-term water security and to reinstating the full appropriation envisioned and needed to secure new water supplies and enter strategic partnerships with the private sector.

House Action

NREW            1/21/25      DP             6-2-0-2

3rd Read          2/11/25                        38-20-2

Prepared by Senate Research

February 28, 2025

SB/SN/slp