HB 2740 Summary

• Adds "ecological water needs" and "watershed health uses" as new defined terms and permitted water appropriation purposes in Arizona water law.

• Requires the Department of Water Resources director to issue a triennial report assessing the overall health of each watershed in the state based on hydrology, landscape condition, habitat, geomorphology, water quality, biological condition, and identified threats.

• Permits water rights to be transferred for "watershed health" purposes and exempts watershed health use applications from the five-year streamflow data requirements applicable to other instream flow applications.

• Directs the director to establish standard measures using best available science to define ecological water needs and publish a preliminary survey of Arizona's waters by December 31, 2023, including watershed assessments and recommendations for statutory changes.

• Requires notice and public comment procedures for the survey and repeals the survey provision effective September 30, 2024.