subsequent AMAs; groundwater portability

SB 1197 allows landowners with existing irrigation water rights in Arizona to transfer the water allocation for land they are not irrigating to other farmers within the same groundwater management area. This means a farmer who stops irrigating part of their land can sell, lease, or transfer the unused water right for that portion to another irrigator in the same zone. Transfers must be reported to the state agency using a form detailing the non-irrigated acres, intended irrigation locations, and transfer terms like lease duration. The bill increases flexibility in water use without altering the underlying water rights structure.