AZ HB2055

Allows groundwater replenishment districts to lease wells from irrigation districts in the Harquahala irrigation non-expansion area to withdraw groundwater for transport to initial active management areas, with lease payments distributed to district members on a pro rata basis minus administrative costs.

Permits entities (the state, political subdivisions, and regulated public service corporations) to withdraw groundwater from eligible land in the Harquahala area for transport to initial active management areas, limited to 6 acre-feet per year or 30 acre-feet per 10-year period unless the director authorizes higher amounts.

Requires that groundwater transported by eligible entities must be used by customers within five years and cannot be sold or conveyed for use by other entities, except that public service corporations must collect all withdrawal and transportation costs from customers in their water distribution system.

Allows the state or political subdivisions owning 80 percent or more of eligible irrigated land to withdraw groundwater from depths up to 1,200 feet, compared to the 1,000-foot limit for other entities.

Directs the Department of Water Resources to adopt rules implementing the subsection regarding groundwater use within one year, with the department exempted from standard rulemaking requirements during that period.