Rep. Gail Griffin

Maddy summaryHB 2571 creates a new credit system for developers and local entities that build infrastructure increasing groundwater recharge, such as stormwater detention basins or permeable roadways. These "physical availability credits" can be used to meet water supply requirements under existing rules, directly benefiting cities, water districts, and private developers. The bill requires the state director to establish rules by 2026 for applying, certifying, and quantifying these credits, while exempting applicants from certain permitting requirements. It specifically targets infrastructure projects designed to enhance natural or artificial groundwater recharge in Arizona’s active management areas.

Maddy summaryHB 2549 appropriates state funds to the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona to provide financial assistance grants for landowners in groundwater basins designated as "subsequent active management areas" (SAMAs). These grants enable landowners to hire outside advisors, attorneys, or consultants to legally challenge either the SAMA designation itself or the groundwater management plans/goals established for their area under Arizona law. The bill specifically targets landowners who legally irrigated with groundwater for at least part of the five years before the SAMA designation. It does not change groundwater regulations but provides funding to support landowners' legal efforts to contest those regulations. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (House first and second readings).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Arizona state law to update the definitions of "jet fuel," "person," "retail sale," "retailer," "storage," and "use or consumption" within the excise tax code. By clarifying that jet fuel includes both conventional and synthetic blends, the legislation ensures these products are consistently categorized for tax purposes. The changes also expand the definition of "person" to include various business entities and government subdivisions, while specifying that "retailers" encompass anyone selling jet fuel for storage or consumption, including agents acting on behalf of dealers. These updates affect individuals, companies, and government agencies involved in the sale, storage, or use of jet fuel in Arizona, ensuring the tax framework accurately reflects modern fuel types and business practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a sunset provision for Arizona's State Natural Resource Conservation Board, requiring it to cease operations by July 1, 2032, and repeals the specific statutes governing its existence. While the board itself is set to dissolve, the legislation simultaneously reorganizes the state's natural resource conservation districts by transferring their existing laws from the Department of Environmental Quality to the Department of Land. Additionally, the act updates the definitions within the relevant statutes to clarify terms such as "landowner" and "irrigation district" to ensure consistency across state agencies. These changes effectively modernize the administrative structure for conservation districts while setting a future deadline for the overseeing board.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a law regarding the replacement of existing transmission lines and structures. It requires that any line or structure in use or authorized before August 13, 1971, must obtain a new certificate of environmental compatibility before being replaced. This change ensures that older infrastructure undergoes a formal environmental review process prior to any replacement work. The amendment applies to projects involving these specific pre-1971 transmission lines and structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows private water companies to legally transport groundwater from the Upper San Pedro basin to the Douglas Active Management Area for municipal use. To qualify, a company must have been moving water for this specific purpose before September 30, 1992, and currently hold a state certificate to serve the Douglas area. The law limits the amount of water a company can transport each year to the quantity it moved into the Douglas basin before December 1, 2022.

Maddy summarySB 1174 expands tuition waiver scholarships in Arizona for children and spouses of public safety and military personnel who died in the line of duty or from injuries sustained while traveling to or from work. The bill specifically includes individuals who suffered a posttraumatic stress injury and died by suicide, requiring verification from relevant memorial boards or the department of veterans' services. Eligible recipients can receive up to 64 credit hours at community colleges or enough credits for a bachelor's degree at universities, provided they meet age and marital status requirements. Additionally, the law extends these benefits to National Guard members with Purple Heart citations and veterans with significant service-connected disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows eligible applicants in the Phoenix active management area to request a review of their denied or missing certificates of assured water supply if they applied between January 2021 and May 2023. Under the law, the Department of Water Resources must evaluate these requests using only the 2006-2009 Salt River valley regional model and any financial data provided by the applicant, issuing a final decision within fifteen days. Applicants must ask for this review within ninety days of the bill's effective date, and the review process is set to end on December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a requirement for developers in Arizona's active management areas to secure a certificate of assured water supply or a written commitment from a designated water provider before selling subdivided land. It empowers local governments and the state real estate commissioner to approve subdivisions or issue public reports only when these water supply guarantees are in place, ensuring new developments have reliable access to water. The legislation designates specific cities, towns, and private water companies as having an assured water supply, particularly those with existing contracts for Central Arizona Project water, while exempting industrial and mineral extraction projects from these rules. Additionally, the bill mandates that the state director notify local officials of designated water providers and allows for reduced water demand calculations if developers install gray water reuse systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Arizona law to require developers selling subdivided land in active management areas to obtain a certificate of assured water supply or a written commitment from a designated water provider before submitting plans for approval. The legislation designates specific cities, towns, and private water companies as having an assured water supply, exempting developments served by these entities from the certificate requirement. Additionally, the bill mandates that the state director adopt rules to reduce water demand for water supply designations if gray water reuse systems are installed.