Caucus advances multiple water measures: snowpack augmentation, stormwater recharge mapping and fund clarifications
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Summary
A set of bills discussed would add snowpack augmentation to WIFA-eligible projects, require additional disclosures for Water Conservation Grant applicants, restrict education/research uses of one grant fund, and appropriate $100,000 for updated stormwater recharge mapping at ADWR.
Committee staff and sponsors briefed the caucus on a package of water-related bills. Corbin Wright described HB 2024, which expands the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority—s (WIFA) definition of eligible water-supply development projects to include snowpack augmentation under the existing weather modification statute and adds project definitions for planning, design and permitting.
Representative Griffin, the sponsor on several water items, said snowpack augmentation produces substantially more water per unit than rainfall augmentation: "Snowpack augmentation produces 40 times more water per unit than rainfall augmentation." He also outlined HB 2029, requiring grant applicants to disclose the source of water saved if they receive Central Arizona Project (CAP) water, and HB 2030, which would focus Water Conservation Grant Fund dollars on projects (physical conservation measures) rather than education and research.
Staff also presented HB 2053, which appropriates $100,000 from the state general fund in FY2027 to the Arizona Department of Water Resources for updated stormwater recharge mapping and directs ADWR to cooperate with specified agencies to identify suitable recharge sites and criteria. Members asked procedural questions about prior site lists and eligibility; sponsors said the bills aim to conserve Colorado River supplies, expand surge recharge projects onto public and private lands and provide counties with tools and funding to remediate legacy cesspools where relevant.
No final votes were recorded in the caucus meeting; bills were placed on the consent calendar where indicated.
