This bill prohibits cities, counties, and state agencies from creating or enforcing any urban growth boundaries that restrict new development, housing options, or public services outside designated areas. It declares such boundaries void in local ordinances, rules, or state contracts, citing Arizona voters' 1998 and 2000 rejections of similar policies. The law aims to prevent policies that could reduce housing affordability by limiting land availability for development, referencing studies from other states. It requires a three-fourths legislative vote to take effect.
HB 2101 amends Arizona's water management statute to clarify and expand the director's authority for groundwater and surface water oversight. It directly affects the state's water director and agencies by authorizing them to develop management plans, investigate water resources, acquire water rights, and coordinate with other entities like the Department of Environmental Quality. Key provisions include enabling the director to form plans for groundwater conservation, collect data on water basins, contract for imported water, and collaborate with federal agencies and Mexican authorities on border water planning. The bill does not create new regulations but updates existing powers to improve water resource management coordination. This is a procedural amendment to the state's water code, not a new policy requiring funding or implementation.
HB 2097 sets a limit of six acre-feet of groundwater per acre annually for irrigation on land legally irrigated between 1975-1980 (in initial areas) or during the five years before a designated area's creation (in subsequent areas). Landowners using groundwater from non-exempt wells who exceed this limit face a $150 penalty per acre, and all users must install approved measuring devices and submit annual reports by March 31. The bill exempts correctional facilities from the six-acre-foot limit if they irrigate up to ten acres for inmate work programs producing food, provided they notify water authorities in advance.
HB 2030 establishes a state fund to support voluntary water conservation programs in Arizona. The fund provides grants for projects like rainwater harvesting systems, drought-resistant landscaping, groundwater recharge initiatives, and educational programs teaching water efficiency. It directly affects water users, local governments, and communities implementing these conservation measures by offering financial support for specific, practical water-saving efforts. The bill outlines clear, concrete uses for the funds without specifying new regulations or mandatory requirements.
HB 2095 requires developers to obtain either a "certificate of assured water supply" from the state director or a written commitment from a designated city, town, or private water company before selling subdivided land in Arizona's active management areas. It directly affects land developers and real estate transactions, mandating proof of sufficient water supply for new subdivisions. Key provisions include designating cities/towns/private providers with assured water supply (especially those using Central Arizona Project water), exempting mineral extraction developments, and allowing gray water systems to reduce water demand requirements under specific conditions. The bill title mentions "well depth," but the actual text focuses on water supply verification processes, not well depth regulations. This is a procedural requirement for land sales, not a substantive water policy change.
