AZ SB1492

Amends groundwater code provisions governing the designation of subsequent irrigation non-expansion areas to require accompanying groundwater flow models and hydrologic reports signed by registered professionals when petitions are submitted.

Establishes a one-year deadline for submitting petitions to the director after the county recorder issues the petition form, with the director able to deny petitions with deficient technical reports after providing opportunity to correct deficiencies.

Clarifies that irrigation user petitioners must be landowners who irrigated at least two acres within the five-year period before petition submission, excluding lessees or agents applying water on behalf of owners.

Makes the director's findings and order designating irrigation non-expansion areas final determinations that are not appealable agency actions, with judicial review limited to petitioners and those who submitted evidence at the public hearing.

Specifies that if the director declines designation and that decision is reversed on judicial review, acres irrigated during the interim period may continue to be irrigated after final designation, and prohibits refiling petitions for the same area for three years after denial becomes final.