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Read. Follow. Verify.Arizona proposes a water withdrawal fee on state lands to fund conservation
Last action · February 9, 2026: Senate Second ReadingSponsor: Priya Sundareshan
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What This Bill Proposed
Arizona lawmakers are proposing a ballot measure to require a water withdrawal fee for pumped from state-owned and trust lands, with revenues directed toward water protection and conservation grants. If approved by voters at the next general election, the measure directs the Director of Water Resources to set fees based on fair market value, with higher tiered rates for large-volume users.
The measure introduces a new cost for extracting from state-owned lands and redirects 90 percent of collected fees into state water protection and conservation grant funds. Large-volume users face potential tiered rate structures, while the Department of Water Resources retains up to 10 percent for administrative expenses.
- State trust lands in Arizona are managed to generate revenues primarily to support public education and other institutional trusts. context
- Concurrent resolutions in Arizona proposing statutory changes or constitutional amendments require approval from a majority of voters at a general election. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
large-volume water users
Large-volume water users may be assessed a higher groundwater withdrawal fee under a tiered structure established by the director.
Arizona Water Protection Fund
The fund receives a portion of the revenues collected from the new water withdrawal fees.
Water Conservation Grant Fund
The fund receives a portion of the revenues collected from the new water withdrawal fees.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does SCR 1039 propose to change?
Where do the collected fees go?
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · on the Senate floor.
Procedural history
2 actions- Feb 9, 2026SenateFloorSenate Second Reading
- Feb 5, 2026SenateIntroducedSenate First Reading
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Introduction of Market-Based Groundwater Fees on State Lands
The measure shifts state policy toward establishing fair market value fees specifically for groundwater withdrawals on state and trust lands, creating a dedicated recurring revenue stream for conservation funds.
Connected Entities
Sources
apps.azleg.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy60Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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