ADEQ; tribal consultations

Arizona's environmental agency (ADEQ) must establish formal consultation policies with each of the state's 22 federally recognized tribes before making decisions affecting tribal interests. The bill requires each policy to include tribal input on consultation processes, designated contacts, geographic areas needing consultation, and specific commitments like respecting tribal sovereignty and considering traditional knowledge. ADEQ must publish these policies online within 90 days and update them annually by December 31 of even-numbered years after direct tribal consultations. This directly affects ADEQ's decision-making on permits, policies, and approvals that impact tribal lands, resources, or cultural sites. The law mandates government-to-government engagement to ensure tribal views are meaningfully integrated into environmental decisions.