HB 2727 Arizona House · 57th Legislature - First Regular Session

county water authority; post-2024 authority

HB 2727 allows Arizona counties with populations between 95,000 and 120,000 to form a water authority that manages Colorado River water deliveries. The bill requires municipal corporations with historical U.S. contracts for Colorado River water (as of January 1, 1993) to transfer their water rights to the new authority within 730 days if formed before 2025, or at any time if formed in 2025 or later. The authority’s board will include representatives from participating municipal corporations and the county, with the county supervisor appointing one director annually. This directly affects counties in the specified population range and municipal entities holding legacy Colorado River water contracts.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Signed May 7, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Engrossed Version Chaptered Version · 6 edits
MODERATE
This bill was enacted into law as Chapter 149, creating a new water authority structure in Arizona. The changes primarily add provisions for a special water authority in counties containing the Harquahala Irrigation Non-Expansion Area, modify how authority members are appointed, and adjust funding rules for smaller counties.
Scope change
The bill now applies to two types of counties: those with populations between 90,000 and 120,000 persons, and counties containing the Harquahala Irrigation Non-Expansion Area that do not contain an active management area.
SCOPE

Added eligibility for counties containing the Harquahala Irrigation Non-Expansion Area to form water authorities, expanding beyond the original population-based criteria.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified authority formation requirements to include county boards of supervisors as eligible appointing entities for Harquahala area authorities.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for authorities in Harquahala counties to notify county supervisors and publish formation notices in local newspapers.

FISCAL

Modified revenue allocation rules so that authorities in counties with populations under 90,000 may deposit all revenues into available funds rather than following the standard distribution.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions to clarify applicability exceptions for Harquahala irrigation non-expansion area authorities.

TECHNICAL

Added formatting markers and chapter designation indicating the bill was approved by the Governor on May 7, 2025.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 30, 2025 · House Mar 4, 2025

How they voted

270
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 30
Apr 30, 2025
D Democratic13
11 Yea 2
84% Yea
R Republican17
16 Yea 1
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
7
Committee
1
Amendments
2
May 7, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor
executive
Apr 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED
upper
Apr 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
DP
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
DP
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
PASSED
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
DPA
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
DPA/SE
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors