Arizona SB 1202: technical correction; health services; monitoring

Bill Text

SB1202 - 572R - S Ver 

 Senate Engrossed

 supply and demand; 
 assessment; groundwater.

 State of Arizona

 Senate

 Fifty-seventh Legislature

 Second Regular Session

 2026

 SENATE BILL 1202

AN 
ACT

amending section 45-105, Arizona 
Revised Statutes; RELATING to the DEPARTMENT of water resources.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it 
enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 45-105, Arizona Revised 
Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE45-105. Powers and duties of director

A. The director may:

1. Formulate plans and develop programs for the 
practical and economical development, management, conservation and use of 
surface water, groundwater and the watersheds in this state, including the 
management of water quantity and quality.

2. Investigate works, plans or proposals pertaining 
to surface water and groundwater, including management of watersheds, and 
acquire, preserve, publish and disseminate related information the director 
deems advisable.

3. Collect and investigate information on and 
prepare and devise means and plans for the development, conservation and use of 
all waterways, watersheds, surface water, groundwater and groundwater basins in 
this state and of all related matters and subjects, including irrigation, 
drainage, water quality maintenance, regulation of flow, diversion of running 
streams adapted for development in cooperating with the United States or by 
this state independently, flood control, use of water power, prevention of soil 
waste and storage, conservation and development of water for every useful 
purpose.

4. Measure, survey and investigate the water 
resources of this state and their potential development and cooperate and 
contract with agencies of the United States for such purposes.

5. Acquire, hold and dispose of property, including 
land, rights-of-way, water and water rights, as necessary or 
convenient for the performance of the groundwater and water quality management 
functions of the department.

6. Acquire, other than by condemnation, construct, 
improve, maintain and operate early warning systems for flood control purposes 
and works for the recovery, storage, treatment and delivery of water.

7. Accept grants, gifts or donations of money or 
other property from any source, which may be used for any purpose consistent 
with this title. All property acquired by the director is public 
property and is subject to the same tax exemptions, rights and privileges 
granted to municipalities, public agencies and other public entities.

8. Enter into an interagency contract or agreement 
with any public agency pursuant to title 11, chapter 7, article 3 and contract, 
act jointly or cooperate with any person to carry out the purposes of this 
title.

9. Prosecute and defend all rights, claims and 
privileges of this state respecting interstate streams.

10. Initiate and participate in conferences, 
conventions or hearings, including congressional hearings, court hearings or 
hearings of other competent judicial or quasi-judicial departments, 
agencies or organizations, and negotiate and cooperate with agencies of the 
United States or of any state or government and represent this state concerning 
matters within the department's jurisdiction.

11. Apply for and hold permits and licenses from the 
United States or any agency of the United States for reservoirs, dam sites and 
rights-of-way.

12. Receive and review all reports, proposed 
contracts and agreements from and with the United States or any agencies, other 
states or governments or their representatives and recommend to the governor 
and the legislature action to be taken on such reports, proposed contracts and 
agreements. The director shall take action on such reports, if 
authorized by law, and review and coordinate the preparation of formal comments 
of this state on both the preliminary and final reports relating to water 
resource development of the United States army corps of engineers, the United 
States secretary of the interior and the United States secretary of 
agriculture, as provided for in the flood control act of 1944 (58 Stat. 887; 33 
United States Code section 701-1).

13. Contract with any person for imported water or 
for the acquisition of water rights or rights to withdraw, divert or use 
surface water or groundwater as necessary for the performance of the 
groundwater management functions of the director prescribed by chapter 2 of 
this title.� If water becomes available under any contract executed under this 
paragraph, the director may contract with any person for its delivery or 
exchange for any other water available.

14. Recommend to the administrative heads of 
agencies, boards and commissions of this state, and political subdivisions of 
this state, rules to promote and protect the rights and interests of this state 
and its inhabitants in any matter relating to the surface water and groundwater 
in this state.

15. Conduct