SE Valley Times

Representative Griffin has introduced an amendment to legislation concerning rural groundwater management in Arizona. This amendment includes a small farmer exemption requested by constituents in Cochise County, allowing small family farms to expand up to 320 acres if they purchased land before the designation of Active Management Areas (AMAs) and had plans for growth.

"Rural Arizonans have spoken, and Republican lawmakers have listened," stated Representative Griffin. "Most concerns have centered on large, industrial users—not small family farmers. Big operations can absorb increased regulation; small ones can’t. That’s unfair. This exemption gives family farms—like vineyards, ranches, and local growers—a chance to pursue the expansion plans they had in place. We must preserve the American Dream in rural Arizona and allow our small farms to thrive."

The amendment proposes changes to the Groundwater Users Advisory Council (GUAC) structure for Subsequent AMAs by transferring appointment power from the Governor to local county boards of supervisors. Members must be Arizona residents and groundwater users within the AMA.

Additionally, the amendment seeks to balance authority between GUAC and the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), giving more decision-making power to local stakeholders.

"Local communities have consistently asked for a stronger voice in groundwater decisions," said Representative Griffin. "Today, we’re flipping the script—empowering rural communities to manage their own resources, as they’ve requested."

This move aligns with Representative Griffin's goal of making existing groundwater tools more suitable for rural areas designated under Subsequent AMAs.

HB2572 has passed through the Senate Natural Resources Committee along party lines with Republican support.