AZ HB2516

Amends Arizona Revised Statutes Section 45-462 regarding grandfathered groundwater rights in active management areas.

Prohibits the director of the Department of Water Resources from adopting or implementing any administrative rule in the Pinal active management area that reduces credits granted for extinguishment of irrigation grandfathered rights to less than the full amount of the irrigation grandfathered right held by the owner.

Clarifies that groundwater use is not deemed illegal merely because the legally withdrawn groundwater has been transported.

Recognizes the amount of groundwater use described in an application for a certificate of exemption as a legal use for determining grandfathered rights, subject to any modifications from appeal findings.

Applies retroactively to any rule adopted on or after December 31, 2013.