AZ HB2186

Establishes a new framework allowing persons with assured water supply certificates or designations to withdraw and use brackish groundwater (1,000-10,000 mg/L total dissolved solids) if they desalinate it to potable water standards and return it to the same area from which it was withdrawn.

Exempts brackish groundwater use from active management area mining groundwater accounts and management goal requirements when an approved brackish groundwater plan is submitted to and approved by the director.

Creates incentive for remedial groundwater use by authorizing up to 65,000 acre-feet annually across all active management areas from approved remedial action projects under CERCLA or Title 49 to be deemed consistent with management goals without replenishment obligations.

Requires separate metering and annual reporting of brackish groundwater and remedial groundwater withdrawals, with 120-day advance notice to the director before commencement of withdrawals including location, volume, timeline, and purpose.

Directs the director to adopt rules establishing a simplified application process, review timeline, and formula for calculating annual authorized volumes of brackish groundwater use; repeals previous remedial groundwater incentive law.