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House committee recommends $1 million for Colorado River legal defense funding
Summary
The Arizona House Appropriations Committee gave HB2103 a due-pass recommendation to appropriate $1 million to the Arizona Department of Water Resources to defend the state's Colorado River allocation; sponsor and agency officials said the funds are a contingency if negotiations fail as a set of river agreements expire in 2026.
The Arizona House Appropriations Committee on Jan. 29 recommended House Bill 2103, which would appropriate $1 million in federal funds for the Arizona Department of Water Resources to defend and enforce the state's allocation of Colorado River water.
Sponsor Rep. Regina Griffin told the committee the appropriation is a “protective defense” to preserve the state's Central Arizona Project allocation if negotiations or cooperative agreements break down. Griffin said the department’s director has “met and successfully defended our use of Colorado River water” and that the appropriation would preserve the state’s ability to take legal action if necessary.
Ben Alternator, chief legislative liaison for the Arizona Department of Water Resources, testified in support and said the department hopes not to use the appropriation but wants “to be prepared to defend its Colorado River entitlements and apportionments should the need arise.” Alternator described ongoing multistate negotiations and noted that several Colorado River agreements and related compacts and contingency plans expire in 2026.
Committee members asked about the near-term drivers of potential litigation. Alternator summarized the issues as long-term drought, an oversubscribed river and expiring agreements, and said federal administration of some aspects is handled through the Bureau of Reclamation and the Interior Department’s special master for the river.
By roll call the committee gave HB2103 a due-pass recommendation (tally: 14 yes, 0 no, 4 not voting). The bill was reported out of committee for further House consideration.
