[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6093088,"mediaKeyId","2849866-e4702beb367d82f23c607e471f67f4dd","parentId",2849866,"title","House Democrats raise concerns about SB 15 20 creating Basin Management Areas and limiting conservation","audioSeconds",113,"startMs",1754000,"endMs",1867000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2849866-e4702beb367d82f23c607e471f67f4dd&start=1754&end=1867","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2849866-e4702beb367d82f23c607e471f67f4dd/thumbnail_1754000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6093088/Arizona/House-Democrats-raise-concerns-about-SB-15-20-creating-Basin-Management-Areas-and-limiting-conservation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093088-7749867bdd6e79a96b3da153791ebc2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775595215&Signature=XuZyR0EohUYxzFf0lYW64sNWV23dAijLapUwQkpqGlg4BkHCmSPcRoZJL7Z~UvL1jDmWggJShkACavgW5OAtc7WgsBgiZzBzno-WegL-rTeLPqgmO-JXeD-3ukNLoTAf7U3LBXV4Pqfqn9dDx-azrNyhzj8Q7Zum~c7H79GgsuNpFArcq75seBaxNQGgmExy5D6iBhqolrYA5an~ccA12pom96CsQDgpWc9E-iHkgyu0~EqW5TXAyKosh2O58etH7qdgU43NqeZkNUeX~8kE~afZ6k9Mcz7QzoSO44F06RG4jXBP69DGjRqeIXbZrn6kAo6Ywzn5LfI4sYhXA5u2pA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arizona Legislature","date","2025-04-01T00:00:00Z","article","Sen. Vicente presented Senate Bill 15 20 on the caucus calendar, describing a plan that would let voters or the Arizona Department of Water Resources director designate the Hila Bend, Willcox and Wallopie groundwater basins as Basin Management Areas (BMAs) and, once designated, prohibit new groundwater pumping in those basins.

Members said the bill gives BMA councils — each with five members, three appointed by the governor, House speaker and Senate president and two chosen from minority-leader lists — extensive discretion to choose management goals, including options driven by economic considerations rather than hydrology. \"If we don't have water, nothing else matters,\" Rep. Stahl Hamilton said, arguing conservation should be the priority.

The bill would require the DWR director to hold public meetings and commission economic and hydrologic studies that would inform BMA councils' plans. Vicente told members councils may select management goals from a finite menu and that a management plan could include an \"all time maximum 10% conservation requirement,\" which could later be maintained or reduced. The bill contains no funding mechanism or incentive structure to encourage reductions in pumping beyond that cap, and it prohibits BMAs from later being converted into Active Management Areas (AMAs) or Irrigation Non-expansion Areas (INAs).

Several members who heard testimony in committee said farmers, rural residents and county officials told legislators the measure would not address local drought conditions and might make them worse. \"We heard a lot of testimony that, not only would this not help manage water in rural areas, it might worsen conservation water management issues,\" one member said, summarizing committee testimony from farmers and residents who reported wells running dry.

Members repeatedly questioned making economic criteria central to management choices. \"It sounds like in this bill they're making economics the bottom line. And let me tell you, if we don't have water, nothing else matters,\" Rep. Stahl Hamilton said. Other speakers warned the 10% cap on conservation could be inadequate and that the bill lacks tools such as incentives or funding to support meaningful reductions in pumping.

Supporters told members Senator Dunn intended to continue amendments and to listen to stakeholders, but critics said the current text was not a workable path forward. Several members said they voted no on related water bills because they feared the measures would favor extraction over meaningful conservation.

The discussion did not record a final vote in caucus; the bill was on the consent calendar at the time of presentation but members asked to pull it for further consideration.

The debate in caucus echoed broader committee testimony and highlighted division among legislators from urban and rural districts over how to balance economic and hydrologic goals for groundwater management.

Looking ahead, members said additional amendments and stakeholder engagement will be necessary before they could support a final proposal.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/01/2025 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #13 & #14","oneSentenceSummary","Sen. Vicente presented Senate Bill 15 20 on the caucus calendar, describing a plan that would let voters or the Arizona Department of Water Resources director designate the Hila Bend, Willcox and Wallopie groundwater basins as Basin Management Areas (BMAs) and, once designated, prohibit new groundwater pumping in those basins.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Arizona, Arizona","taxId",78572,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6093071,"Caucus pulls SB 1053 after committee concerns over reduced safe discharge distance for shotguns",43,381000,424000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2849866-e4702beb367d82f23c607e471f67f4dd&start=381&end=424","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2849866-e4702beb367d82f23c607e471f67f4dd/thumbnail_381000.jpg","/articles/6093071/Arizona/Caucus-pulls-SB-1053-after-committee-concerns-over-reduced-safe-discharge-distance-for-shotguns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093071-b41ba26646cee54dadbd40cb29c6c9b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775595215&Signature=YYy89tYiFAzdB26labP8-XzrvQL4J9x86Ah90kx0l3HX2wU~-MkRoePe8V7VJ1FzCE8EsdL9AP851~~Gv0NveMvfnMgNZzpgVjhxVxWsjTSfURrFFA-8S4slvYeP2fyCKMD87KUmBps6lV8P05HGrEGPLc3appiBhz7j5s0oajjdXF3oEc4KO91m4YOKRZoKnhtmG1C6hlv5wZDoBtngkLWlDjpeztItUdaEB~p1l-HejMZhLKSRPe0o-Nmn4sJOtPupwpEi1s99YI9GiMTZVb7IuWdUhE3a7abvDL1K-2Ho-6aANJ~8kYuOEJXjxCHuiVgCPij5IgU9hiiknuuY3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Corinne introduced Senate Bill 10 53, which would decrease the distance at which a shotgun may be discharged from an occupied structure and would create a presumption that a discharge within the prohibited range was without consent.

Whip Cruz asked members to pull the bill from the consent calendar, saying the committee had \"a very, lively discussion\" and inviting members to discuss strategy privately. Another caucus member called the measure \"a very bad bill,\" and the bill was removed from the consent calendar for further deliberation.

The caucus did not record a formal vote on SB 1053 during the meeting; members asked to consult after caucus to discuss how to approach the bill.

No technical amendments or final language changes were recorded in caucus remarks; the sponsor remained available for questions during the presentation.","Senate Bill 1053 would decrease the permitted distance for discharging a shotgun from an occupied structure and create a presumption about lack of consent; members described a \"lively\" committee debate and asked to remove the bill from consent for private caucus discussions about strategy.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6093075,"SB 1236 would allow underground stormwater recharge credits; members warn about double counting",39,1705000,1744000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2849866-e4702beb367d82f23c607e471f67f4dd&start=1705&end=1744","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2849866-e4702beb367d82f23c607e471f67f4dd/thumbnail_1705000.jpg","/articles/6093075/Arizona/SB-1236-would-allow-underground-stormwater-recharge-credits-members-warn-about-double-counting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093075-8a9ac8fccab3adfb36f57130b49f2362/orig.mp4?Expires=1775595215&Signature=daOYCREs-lVMLOMXV7Czd916FL~6QRn70ChSnXKRAehhLwac148sKLikgfqYdw87eAEDC48Yu5Ic9XS64~E7nvuiVUZwAGmjWaGoNR5l38wAwF2rN5tyf3cvYZGzczF1tvm5aJrxz2IC7PaUXEGMHxxSRJTenBrck3ZtnHY4k9dS3jrEdO-3And64JRY-QiUS7AQt-1QwNbMKodf7CczNMPJ91N~4dYWoR4Nze3m87zzXishDCOVWVkyIUUdFw9XN15S5wlJ4k6PKFLpYk6I9Q9vBlvwXvZUskRZkeqRKLHUZ7yv2FT40VHLd1sXrPll4oGlpEn7BIdINuPn18hGCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Vicente presented Senate Bill 12 36, which would allow a person to recharge stormwater in a constructed underground storage facility and receive a replenishment credit for that water. The bill permits the credit holder to use the credits or transfer them to other eligible entities to offset replenishment obligations under specified conditions.

During caucus discussion, one member raised a concern about double counting: whether water that would have naturally recharged an aquifer could be claimed both as naturally occurring recharge and again as an engineered recharge for credit. \"The only further comment I'll make was there was grave concerns about double counting water that would have been naturally recharged,\" a member said.

The bill was presented with the sponsor available for questions and was on the consent calendar; caucus members requested further clarification on how the crediting system would avoid double counting and how transfers would be regulated.

No final caucus vote was recorded during the meeting; members asked for additional information from the agency or sponsor before deciding whether to support the measure.","Senate Bill 12 36 would let entities recharge stormwater in underground storage and receive replenishment credits that can be used or transferred; members warned about potential double counting of naturally recharged water.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6093080,"SB 1510 would force agencies to eliminate long‑vacant positions; lawmakers warn about losing specialized staff",105,218000,323000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2849866-e4702beb367d82f23c607e471f67f4dd&start=218&end=323","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2849866-e4702beb367d82f23c607e471f67f4dd/thumbnail_218000.jpg","/articles/6093080/Arizona/SB-1510-would-force-agencies-to-eliminate-longvacant-positions-lawmakers-warn-about-losing-specialized-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093080-f80eb06acf4d097c5754720a62b5f1b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775595215&Signature=XN~84ZLNMwwxVtQHgknJuV51sSpdJPNQpoqRm9XpreVs9hKHfsJfb8xDBRoXLt4gcc6qsAJjvLIEv-nzlX0MvgJhFD-MwhFsKlBwpNcfRqIM4NB4xMXQbluphQ83W85Sl7~G05LiKg-IQvZjESNABExGcnmoN6m33O4hH76eHSRnDmXsTLASlQBTdDACp8MY0C2lSoVPsDx8jmWgglVJyTidmG5lVDEw49rDzr8EEEPHdWcepFgpp9N6P4uR0D5CgEYN2ck-baTUgpVxUB14Bkvb-IJ5q6wUAewnFiIVkkhjiAfZAq5vSzEXrBTCPh6fafSqQe0ELuPhxppiZuB3lA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Brendan presented Senate Bill 15 10, which would require the Department of Administration to collect from each budget unit a list of all full‑time equivalent positions that have been vacant for at least 150 days and require those budget units to eliminate the identified positions. The proposal would exempt the Department of Corrections, the Department of Public Safety, the Arizona Board of Regents, state universities and community colleges.

Members questioned whether the bill accounts for specialized, non‑entry level positions that are difficult to fill. \"Many of these positions that remain vacant for a hundred and 50 days are not entry level positions. They're highly specialized positions, hydrologists, things of that nature that you need to have the correct background for and the correct fit,\" Brendan said, noting elimination could have implications for essential functions.

One lawmaker said the Department of Revenue, for example, needs staff with specialized skills for sales ratio studies and other statutorily mandated work; eliminating those positions could leave required work undone. Members requested more information about how the bill distinguishes between fillable entry‑level roles and specialized positions that require longer recruitment timelines.

The bill was on the consent calendar at caucus but members asked to pull it for discussion.

No formal motion or vote was recorded in caucus during the presentation; members sought clarification about potential operational impacts on state agencies.","Senate Bill 15 10 would require state budget units to eliminate full‑time positions vacant 150 days or more, with several agencies exempt; caucus members warned the rule could remove specialized positions that are hard to fill and are necessary for statutory duties.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6093083,"Caucus debates SB 1001 early‑ballot rules; Democrats call measures punitive and risky for rural voters",259,2182000,2441000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2849866-e4702beb367d82f23c607e471f67f4dd&start=2182&end=2441","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2849866-e4702beb367d82f23c607e471f67f4dd/thumbnail_2182000.jpg","/articles/6093083/Arizona/Caucus-debates-SB-1001-earlyballot-rules-Democrats-call-measures-punitive-and-risky-for-rural-voters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093083-f2f6fedfc933098477deced9d5956386/orig.mp4?Expires=1775595215&Signature=D3VGJGAIMahxPWSzWM7cHLg5HfsS8fQx~v35UXKuyBXPVSah8VxYw~TjUYwPBWJCc8WZ53-2TSu9qLrq8wElRLptQoKDSOP75n8tC-MVjWnp11LZJfq2zYH8sRqpnU6K07MbgxAUq-Naf7jhgRuUhgJ8eF2IoDXlhEm30xulf468grfq1mmxcqMhnnPE90vQLqvA7TCF2ZIINhRIJD-3Bj-t1uX31MHmm0Nwe7UK9vSKHxDvXuafpavbjMPXxtWfuTaOCw7NqpjP~nygF3wlW1wNfaFVXwtfWq~yaUynOF81r3C6Md7YI1SxzFCgZriBSUV8KatFT3lyzaOihYhgJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rhonda presented Senate Bill 1,001 to the caucus as a measure that would change several early‑voting procedures, limit the use of emergency voting centers, require certain school sites to host voting, tighten deadlines for ballot drop‑off and receipt, and require identification for ballot drop‑off in some circumstances.

Under the bill as described, a ballot dropped off after 7 p.m. on the Friday before election day could remove a voter from the active early‑voting list; early ballots must be received by the county recorder or officer in charge no later than 7 p.m. on election day or deposited at an authorized voting location beginning at 7 a.m. on the Friday before election day. The bill also would repeal the ability of an early voter to use an official ballot drop box if they do not present sufficient identification, and would require on‑site tabulation in counties that provide it.

\"This bill ... is very punitive in the way of not allowing voters flexibility to vote, right, and taking them off of the [early voting] list,\" Representative Garcia said, arguing the measure could disproportionately affect counties that already face long lines and capacity constraints. Garcia noted that more than 80% of voters cast early ballots and said lawmakers should aim to preserve flexibility.

Members expressed specific concerns about requiring public schools that serve grades 7–12 to provide space for voting and about stripping local officials' discretion to decline school sites for safety or welfare reasons. One member warned that \"It can be absolutely dangerous for schools ... to open up to strangers,\" and said the decision should remain with school authorities.

Several members asked to pull the bill from the consent calendar for further discussion. The caucus did not record a formal vote on the bill during the meeting; members asked for additional review and expressed interest in analyzing how previously adopted election timeline changes have operated before enacting additional constraints.

No formal motions or final votes were recorded in caucus on SB 1001. The discussion reflected partisan disagreement about whether the bill addresses legitimate election‑integrity concerns or instead creates barriers to voting in counties with limited resources.","Senate Bill 1001 would tighten early‑ballot drop‑off deadlines, require ID and on‑site tabulation in some counties, and remove some voter flexibility; members said provisions could penalize early voters and strain rural polling where long lines already exist.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House Democrats raise concerns about SB 15 20 creating Basin Management Areas and limiting conservation

Caucus pulls SB 1053 after committee concerns over reduced safe discharge distance for shotguns

SB 1236 would allow underground stormwater recharge credits; members warn about double counting

SB 1510 would force agencies to eliminate long‑vacant positions; lawmakers warn about losing specialized staff

Caucus debates SB 1001 early‑ballot rules; Democrats call measures punitive and risky for rural voters