AZ HB2692

Appropriates $13,318,250 from the state general fund in fiscal year 2025-2026 to the Arizona Department of Water Resources for maintenance and operation.

Legislature finds the department has not processed any applications for certificates of assured water supply since June 1, 2023, leaving an entire division idle while applications remain pending.

Alleges department leadership has diverted considerable resources to political activities including establishing policy councils, threatening new active management areas, and developing rules beyond statutory authority.

States department participation in extra-statutory activities has diverted resources from core functions including stream adjudication processing, groundwater assessments, updating flow models, and defending state interests on the Colorado River.

Intends the appropriation be allocated to reduce non-essential sections and programs to refocus the department on statutorily defined responsibilities.