New Legislation Aims to Force Accountability at Water Agency Amid Transparency Concerns

By Daniel Stefanski |

In a push for greater transparency within Arizona’s water management, State Representative Lupe Diaz has introduced two significant bills aimed at reforming the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). Announced earlier this week, the measures are designed to address transparency issues and regulatory concerns stemming from the agency’s recent activities.

One of the proposed bills, HB 2692, seeks to reduce ADWR’s budget while compelling the agency to focus on its essential duties. This includes updating groundwater models, assessing water availability in rural areas, and safeguarding Arizona’s entitlements to Colorado River water. The companion bill, HB 2550, aims to accelerate ADWR’s sunset review date to July 1, 2026, to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the agency’s oversight and accountability to residents.

Representative Diaz articulated his frustrations with ADWR’s current direction, citing a drift towards actions that extend beyond its legislative mandate. He stated, “As Arizonans, we depend on our state agencies to follow the law and fulfill their responsibilities, especially regarding water management. Unfortunately, ADWR, under Governor Hobbs, has diverted time and resources toward initiatives that lack legislative backing, ultimately affecting housing costs for many.”

Diaz further criticized the agency’s leadership, asserting that unelected officials are assuming excessive control over water resources through unilateral rule-making, leading to adverse effects on economic development and living costs across the state. He emphasized that the Legislature should represent the people’s interests rather than allowing bureaucratic overreach to dictate policy.

The bills are set for committee review, and if they receive approval, they will move to the full House for a vote. However, the likelihood of them being signed into law appears slim, given the existing political divide between Governor Hobbs and Republican lawmakers on water policy.