physical availability credits; water supply

This bill allows landowners in Arizona's active management areas to permanently stop irrigating their property and instead receive a "physical availability credit" representing the amount of groundwater they previously used. The credit enables these landowners to withdraw or receive that specific volume of water for non-irrigation purposes, such as municipal use, provided the water remains connected to the original land and is delivered by a local provider under a specific contract. Additionally, the bill requires state officials to count this newly available water when determining if a city or town has an assured water supply, which is necessary for approving new subdivisions. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was ultimately vetoed by the Governor.