groundwater model; stormwater recharge; AMAs

HB 2270 requires Arizona's water director to update groundwater models for active management areas (AMAs) to include stormwater recharge from infrastructure development. It mandates that the director assume this recharge offsets future groundwater use and annually update models to reflect new stormwater recharge sources. The bill directly affects water managers and developers in Arizona's AMAs by changing how groundwater use is calculated. The bill passed the legislature but was vetoed by the governor on April 15, 2025.