SB 1221 Summary

• Establishes basin management areas in Gila Bend, Hualapai Valley, and Willcox groundwater basins through either director designation (based on land subsidence, accelerated groundwater decline, or other criteria) or voter petition signed by at least 10% of registered voters in the basin.

• Grants groundwater users certificates of groundwater rights based on their historical use: municipal/industrial users receive allocations based on maximum use in any year of the preceding 5 years; irrigation users receive allocations based on average use over the preceding 10 years.

• Prohibits new groundwater pumping after basin closure except by users with certificates or for intentionally recharged water, and allows certificate holders to use up to 25% more than allocated annually through a flexibility account system with credits and debits.

• Establishes a five-member basin management council appointed by state legislative and executive officials, with duties including adopting water management plans that require a mandatory 10% reduction in water use over ten years (in increments no greater than 2% annually) and applying for water conservation grants.

• Prohibits basin management areas from being designated as active management areas or irrigation non-expansion areas, and allows municipal and industrial users to convert agricultural water rights at 85% efficiency.