Rep. Tom O’Halleran, R-1, has signed on to a number of bills regarding water and the way in which it is managed in the state. The following is a list of such bills he has sponsored, a brief summary of what each does and where each is in the legislative process. The deadline for filing House bills without special permission is Feb. 7. The Senate deadline was Jan. 31.

H2169: Land Use Planning; Water Resources

The water resources component of a comprehensive general plan developed by a municipality or county is expanded to include reports on water conservation efforts, drought management efforts, and the practicality of regional coordination. The water resources component must be reevaluated every five years.

Assigned to: House Natural Resources; House Counties, Municipalities & Military Affairs

H2170: Gila River Settlement Task Force

A nine-person Gila River Water Settlement Task Force is established to consider issues arising from the federal Arizona Water Settlement Act and to recommend appropriate legislative, executive and administrative responses. Members are: the chairs of the two natural resources committees, two other representatives, two senators, and three appointed by the governor. (Does not change statute. Session law only.)

Assigned to: House Rules

H2173: Water Supply Notice; Subdivision

A final plat cannot be approved for a subdivision outside a groundwater active management area without an accompanying report on the adequacy of the water supply. Inadequate supply can mean denial of subdivision approval.

Assigned to: House Natural Resources; House Counties, Municipalities & Military Affairs

H2174: Drought Emergency Water Transfers

Other law to the contrary notwithstanding, groundwater may be transported away from a basin in drought emergencies when specified conditions are met. No statutory change (session law only).

Assigned to: House Natural Resources; House Counties, Municipalities & Military Affairs

H2177: Water Permits & Fees

The Assured and Adequate Water Supply Administration Fund is established in the Department of Water Resources consisting of fees received by the department to evaluate the adequacy of subdivision water supplies, to issue a certificate of assured water supply, and to assign certificates of assured water supply. The fund shall be used for the costs associated with these activities.

Assigned to: House Natural Resources; House Appropriations P

H2179: Water; Active Management Areas

The area of the Tucson Active Management Area is redefined to exclude the portion of the upper Santa Cruz sub-basin included in the Santa Cruz Active Management Area.

Assigned to: House Natural Resources; House Environment

H2181: Water; Exempt Wells

Starting July 1, 2005, a water well which otherwise would be exempt from regulation may not be drilled in an active management area if it is inside the service area and within 100 feet of the distribution system of a municipal provider who has an assured-supply designation. On request of the owner of the land on which an exempt well is prohibited and if certain conditions are met, the director of the Department of Water Resources may grant a permit.

Assigned to: House Rules

H2262: Water Supply Notice; Inadequate

The affidavit of disclosure required in sales of land parcels in unincorporated areas must include a statement that the water supply is inadequate if such is the case.

Assigned to: House Commerce; House Natural Res

Action: Do pass amended from Commerce

H2273: Water Studies Appropriation

Appropriation to the Department of Water Resources (amount blank in original) for rural water studies.

Assigned to: House Natural Resources; House Appropriations P

H2277: Water Providers; Water Plans

A New Article, “Public Water System Planning And Reporting Requirements,” is added to the water code to require public water systems to prepare supply, drought-preparedness and conservation plans.

Assigned to: House Natural Resources; House Counties, Municipalities & Military Affairs

S1067: Appropriation; Zuni Water Settlement

An appropriation of $1,569,000 as the state’s obligation to the Zuni Tribe pursuant to the federal water rights settlement act of 2003. According to terms of the settlement, the money will be used for wetland restoration projects.

Assigned to: Senate Appropriations; Senate Natural Resources & Rural Affairs

Action: Do pass amended from Natural Resources & Rural Affairs

S1190: Water; Exempt Wells

Starting Jan 1, 2006, a water well which otherwise would be exempt from regulation may not be drilled in an active management area on land that is within 100 feet of the distribution system of a municipal provider which has an assured-supply designation. On request of the owner of the land on which an exempt well is prohibited and if certain conditions are met, the director of the Department of Water Resources may grant a permit.

Assigned to: Senate Natural Res & Rural Affairs

Action: Do pass from Natural Res & Rural Affairs

S1235: Water; CAGRD Omnibus

Amendments to statutes relating to CAGRD (the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District, which is a division of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District, which manages the Central Arizona Project), include these: with stated exemptions, if a municipal provider terminates water service and fails to pay the replenishment tax levied by a conservation district, another provider cannot commence service of groundwater without paying the taxes; district must make reasonable estimate of projected replenishment obligations for 100 years; a method for calculating establishment and maintenance of district replenishment reserve is prescribed.

Assigned to: Senate Natural Res & Rural Affairs

Action: Do pass from Natural Res & Rural Affairs —