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Senate adopts changes to groundwater-replenishment rules affecting municipal provider obligations
Summary
Senators passed House Bill 2753 after a floor amendment from Senator Shope that removed prohibitions preventing the director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources and political subdivisions from requiring subdividers to provide or pay for off-parcel water sources; supporters said the change was needed for Pinal County.
On May 7, 2025, the Arizona Senate passed House Bill 2753 relating to groundwater replenishment and assured water supply rules after adopting a Shope floor amendment that altered requirements related to subdivided lands and municipal provider designations. The bill as amended received a due-pass recommendation and passed third reading.
Senator Thomas C. J. Shope moved the Shope floor amendment and explained that it “removes the prohibition for a designation of a municipal provider on owners of lands that are subdivided after the date of the designation” from being required to provide or pay for a water source to reduce a replenishment obligation incurred off the owner’s parcel. The amendment also removed a prohibition that had prevented the director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources or a political subdivision from conditioning an assured water supply certificate on owners providing off-parcel water sources.
Shope said the changes were developed with the Department of Water Resources and the governor’s office to ensure the bill would work for Pinal County; “this is why we're putting the amendment on,” he said. After floor discussion, the Senate adopted the amendment and passed the bill. The presiding officer announced the final vote as 25 ayes, 1 nay and 4 not voting and said, “You have passed House Bill 27 53.”
Why it matters: the amendment adjusts how municipal providers and the state may condition water service or assured water supply for subdivided lands, a significant issue for rapidly developing parts of Arizona such as Pinal County. Supporters framed the amendment as technical and necessary to secure executive sign-off and to allow planned development to proceed under clarified water obligations.
Action summary: the Committee on Natural Resources reported HB 2753 do pass; the Senate adopted the Shope floor amendment and passed HB 2753 as amended on third reading. The bill will be transmitted to the House and then to the governor for consideration.
(Ending) Sponsors said they had coordinated language with state agencies and the governor’s office to ensure the bill functions for local government and development needs; the Senate approved the measure with a large majority.
