ADEQ; tribal consultations

SB 1328 requires Arizona's Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to establish formal consultation policies with all 22 federally recognized tribes in the state. These policies must include tribal input on consultation processes, designated contacts, geographic areas requiring consultation, and specific commitments like respecting tribal sovereignty and considering traditional knowledge. ADEQ must publish all policies online within 90 days and update them annually by December 31 of even-numbered years after direct tribal consultation. The bill mandates that ADEQ engage tribes throughout environmental decision-making to address potential impacts on tribal lands and interests. This law directly affects ADEQ's permitting and policy decisions that could impact tribal communities.