By AZ Mirror
Gov. Katie Hobbs along with a group of bipartisan state and rural leaders announced legislation Thursday that gives rural communities a say in managing local groundwater.
The Rural Groundwater Management Act of 2025 would allow rural Arizonans to create water management programs that would have decision-making authority over conservation programs. Those programs are meant to reduce groundwater use and improve aquifer conditions, according to a fact sheet provided by the Governor’s Office.
Senate Bill 1425 also would create five-person councils in each water management program. Council members would be selected by the Arizona Senate president, House speaker and minority leaders in both chambers.