HB2079 Summary

• Amends Section 37-1054 to add explicit authority for conservation districts to eradicate invasive vegetation in addition to noxious growths on agricultural and grazing lands.

• Creates a new soil health program for conservation districts to promote soil health practices, research, demonstration projects, and educational initiatives that enhance soil function and organic matter.

• Expands conservation district education center activities to include increasing public awareness of water conservation methods, best management practices, and soil health practices statewide.

• Amends Section 43-1084 to allow agricultural water conservation system tax credits when expenses are consistent with conservation plans filed with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service or a natural resource conservation district established under Arizona law.

• Renumbers existing powers of conservation districts (numbered 2-11 become 3-12) to accommodate the new soil health program authority.