subsequent irrigation; non-expansion areas; procedures.

Arizona's SB 1636 establishes a new process for designating "subsequent irrigation non-expansion areas" where groundwater is insufficient to reliably support irrigation for 100 years at current withdrawal rates. The bill allows the director to designate such areas (which must cover entire groundwater sub-basins, not partial areas) without requiring an "active management area" under other laws. It also creates procedures for initiating designations through petitions signed by either 25 irrigation users or 10% of registered voters in the area, accompanied by approved groundwater flow models and hydrologic reports. This bill directly affects groundwater users and local communities in areas potentially designated under this new process.