grandfathered right; Willcox AMA; extension

Plain English Breakdown

The official status indicates a gubernatorial veto; whether this was overridden is unknown based on the provided material.

HB2031: Extension for Willcox Groundwater Rights Applications

This bill extends the deadline for people in the Willcox area to apply for certificates of their grandfathered groundwater rights until twenty-seven months after the area was designated.

What This Bill Does

• Extends the filing deadline for applications for a certificate of grandfathered right by twenty-seven months from the date the active management area was designated.
• Requires applicants in the Willcox Active Management Area to use forms provided by the Department of Water Resources.
• Applies retroactively starting on January 7, 2025.
• Repeals this extension rule after December 31, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

• People claiming grandfathered groundwater rights in the Willcox Active Management Area
• The Arizona Department of Water Resources

Terms To Know

Grandfathered right

A legal claim to withdraw or use groundwater based on past usage before new rules took effect.

Active Management Area (AMA)

A specific region where the state manages and regulates groundwater use more strictly than in other areas.

Limits and Unknowns

• The governor vetoed this bill, so it did not become law unless lawmakers later overrode that decision.
• The text does not explain what happens if someone misses the new deadline or how many people are affected.

Official Summary Text

HB2031 - grandfathered right; Willcox AMA; extension

Current 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.