SB 1559 Arizona Senate · 57th Legislature - Second Regular Session

rural groundwater management; work groups

SB 1559 requires Arizona's groundwater management districts to collaborate with rural groundwater management work groups by coordinating with other districts in the same group, holding at least one joint meeting annually, and submitting an annual report to the Department of Water Resources by December 31. The bill also expands districts' authority to research groundwater health within their basins. These provisions apply specifically when multiple districts share jurisdiction over a single work group. The bill directly affects local groundwater management districts and the state's Department of Water Resources.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 3, 2026 Last action Mar 5, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Version → Senate Engrossed Version (02/26/2026) · 5 edits · Feb 26, 2026

MODERATE

This bill adds new powers to rural conservation districts to support groundwater management and establishes a new 'Rural Groundwater Management Work Group' in each groundwater basin. These groups will include local experts and agricultural producers to develop strategies for managing water resources, with districts required to coordinate their efforts and submit annual reports.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of rural conservation districts by adding specific duties related to groundwater health and requires the creation of new collaborative work groups in every groundwater basin.

REQUIREMENT

New Section 41-6054, Subsection A, Paragraph 14 requires districts to conduct surveys and research on groundwater health within their basins.

New Section 41-6054, Subsection A, Paragraph 15 mandates districts to assist newly formed 'Rural Groundwater Management Work Groups' by coordinating support, holding joint meetings, and submitting annual collaboration reports.

New Section 45-580.01 establishes 'Rural Groundwater Management Work Groups' in each groundwater basin, requiring members to include affected parties and local experts such as agricultural producers.

The new work groups must submit an annual report by December 31 to the Department of Water Resources, which will then consolidate these reports for the Governor and legislative leaders.

ELIGIBILITY

Section 41-6054, Paragraph 13 was modified to add 'other persons' to the list of entities that can cooperate with districts on water infrastructure projects.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

PASSED

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors