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AZ HB2538
Bill
Status
Introduced
1/26/2026
Primary Sponsor
Christopher Mathis
Click for details
AI Summary
- Amends Arizona water quality law to require the Department of Environmental Quality to establish a program restoring and maintaining chemical, physical and biological integrity of state waters
- Expands the protected surface waters list to include ephemeral waters and waters with cultural or religious importance to federally recognized Indian tribes
- Requires the director to consider "ecological services" (benefits humans receive from natural environments and healthy ecosystems) when evaluating economic, environmental and social factors for adding waters to the protected list
- Changes state water quality standards from "not more stringent than" federal Clean Water Act requirements to "not less stringent than" federal standards
- Mandates the department begin rulemaking to update the protected surface waters list by December 31, 2027, with public notice and comment opportunities
Legislative Description
State waters; rules; ecological services
Last Action
House read second time
1/27/2026
Committee Referrals
Rules1/26/2026
Natural Resources, Energy & Water1/26/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available