SB 1519 Summary

• Amends Arizona flood control district statutes to establish new procedural requirements for rulemaking, including mandatory preambles, public notice periods, written responses to comments, and restrictions on rules that substantially differ from proposed versions.

• Adds provisions prohibiting districts from adopting new rules that increase regulatory burdens unless the rule reduces overall regulatory restraints or implements required statutes or court orders; provides affirmative defense and attorney fee recovery for those challenging violative rules.

• Requires districts to incorporate by reference federal, state, or nationally recognized codes and standards in district rules with full identification and public availability; limits incorporation of later amendments to compliance with rulemaking procedures.

• Establishes petition and review procedures allowing persons to request that districts make, amend, or repeal rules or review existing practices and substantive policy statements; requires board consideration within sixty days and allows board declaration of invalid rules or practices.

• Modifies floodplain use permit provisions to limit district consideration of adverse impacts on private property unless the impact directly affects district property or poses an imminent threat to public health and safety.