SB 1446 Summary

• Expands water measuring device requirements to include nonexempt wells outside active management areas and irrigation non-expansion areas, with exemptions for small non-irrigation uses (10 acre-feet or fewer per year) and small irrigation uses (10 or fewer contiguous acres).

• Adds new reporting requirements for persons withdrawing groundwater from nonexempt wells outside active management areas and irrigation non-expansion areas, requiring disclosure of well location, withdrawal quantity, fuel/electricity consumption, and water use details.

• Clarifies that small groundwater withdrawals from nonexempt wells in non-designated areas are exempt from annual reporting if used for irrigation on 10 or fewer contiguous acres not part of a larger integrated farming operation.

• Updates cross-references and subsection numbering in the groundwater code to accommodate the new reporting categories and measurement requirements.

• Corrects the date reference in section 45-2602 regarding establishment of southside protection zones in the Pinal active management area.