AZ HB2390

Arizona Board of Regents universities may offer pro bono legal assistance to unrepresented claimants in general stream adjudications of water rights whose adjusted gross income for the preceding three years is less than 500% of federal poverty guidelines.

University representation continues until the claimant reaches an evidentiary hearing or similar contested proceeding, but universities may not represent claimants at such hearings if the claim remains unsettled.

Universities offering assistance must cooperate and coordinate with cooperative extension faculty programs that support economic vitality and natural resource use in rural communities.

Universities must submit written annual reports by November 15 to the Governor, House Speaker, Senate President, and Secretary of State detailing their assistance activities.

$500,000 appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2021-2022 to the University of Arizona to establish a water rights adjudication law clinic, with funds exempt from lapsing provisions.