Committee approves amendment to limit Colorado River water for replenishment to permitted facilities; tribes and CAP raise scope concerns
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Summary
House Bill 2263, as amended, would restrict use of main-stem Colorado River water for replenishment in AMAs to permitted facilities on state or private land or owned by multi-county conservation districts. Central Arizona Project and tribal representatives warned the committee that the measure could exclude existing tribal, municipal and USF storage locations and impede flexibility.
House Bill 2263 would allow diverted first-priority main-stem Colorado River water to be used for replenishment in active management areas only if delivered to a permitted groundwater savings facility on state or private land, or a facility owned by a multi-county water conservation district. The Griffin amendment clarified the bill applies to first-priority main-stem diversions.
Why it matters: CAP and tribal representatives said the proposed restrictions could exclude facilities where the CAP already stores water — including tribal facilities, certain USFs and other locations — and that the bill as drafted creates confusion about what would be permitted going forward. Jeff Gray (CAP) cited specific facilities that would be excluded and urged a deeper review; Tom Farley (Colorado River Indian Tribes) said the bill can be read in multiple ways and urged additional stakeholder work.
Committee action: The committee adopted the Griffin amendment and returned HB2263 with a due-pass recommendation. Roll-call commentary recorded several members saying they expect sponsors to work with stakeholders on clarifications before floor consideration.
What’s next: Sponsors signaled willingness to continue discussions with tribes, CAP and other stakeholders to refine the statutory language before committee and floor action.
