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HB2031 • 2026

grandfathered right; Willcox AMA; extension

HB2031 - grandfathered right; Willcox AMA; extension

Water
Vetoed

The latest official action shows the governor vetoed this bill. Check the bill history to see whether lawmakers later overrode that veto.

Sponsor
Gail Griffin
Last action
2026-04-13
Official status
Governor vetoed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not provide specific details about the retroactivity or emergency measures beyond what is stated in the official source material.

Extension for Groundwater Rights in Willcox Area

HB2031 extends the deadline for people with existing groundwater rights in the Willcox Active Management Area to file an application for their rights.

What This Bill Does

  • Extends the time limit for people who have grandfathered water rights in the Willcox Active Management Area to file an application for their rights within twenty-seven months after the area was designated as an active management area.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who have grandfathered water rights in the Willcox Active Management Area
  • The Department of Water Resources

Terms To Know

grandfathered right
A pre-existing legal right that continues to be valid even after new laws are passed.
active management area (AMA)
An area designated by the state for special water resource planning and management.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill was vetoed by the governor on April 13, 2026.
  • It is unclear if lawmakers will override this veto.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-09 V

    Governor vetoed

  2. 2026-04-08 House

    Transmitted to House

  3. 2026-04-08 Senate

    Senate third read passed

  4. 2026-04-02 Senate

    Senate committee of the whole

  5. 2026-03-24 Senate

    Senate minority caucus

  6. 2026-03-24 Senate

    Senate majority caucus

  7. 2026-03-23 Senate

    Senate consent calendar

  8. 2026-03-03 Senate

    Senate second read

  9. 2026-03-02 Senate

    Senate Rules: PFC

  10. 2026-03-02 Senate

    Senate Natural Resources: DP

  11. 2026-03-02 Senate

    Senate first read

  12. 2026-02-23 Senate

    Transmitted to Senate

  13. 2026-02-23 House

    House third read passed

  14. 2026-02-17 House

    House minority caucus

  15. 2026-02-17 House

    House majority caucus

  16. 2026-02-16 House

    House consent calendar

  17. 2026-01-13 House

    House second read

  18. 2026-01-12 House

    House Rules: C&P

  19. 2026-01-12 House

    House Natural Resources, Energy & Water: DP

  20. 2026-01-12 House

    House first read

Official Summary Text

HB2031 - grandfathered right; Willcox AMA; extension

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HB2031 - 572R - H Ver

House Engrossed

grandfathered right;
Willcox AMA; extension

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HOUSE BILL 2031

AN
ACT

providing
for an application extension for grandfathered water rights.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it
enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.
Willcox active
management area; certificate of grandfathered right; time extension; delayed
repeal

A. Notwithstanding section
45-476, subsection A, Arizona Revised Statutes, a person claiming the right to
withdraw or receive and use groundwater in the Willcox active management area
pursuant to a grandfathered right shall file an application for a certificate
of grandfathered right with the department of water resources not later than
twenty-seven months after the date of the designation of the active
management area on a form provided by the department.

B. This section is repealed
from and after December 31, 2026.

Sec. 2.
Retroactivity

This act applies retroactively to from
and after January 7, 2025.

(ENACTED
WITHOUT THE EMERGENCY)

Sec. 3.
Emergency

This act is an emergency measure that
is necessary to preserve the public peace, health or safety and is operative
immediately as provided by law.