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Municipal Water AssessmentOn Wednesday, February 1, the Senate Committee on Water, Land Use and Rural Development considered SB 1288 (municipal water fees; repeal; appropriation), legislation to repeal the authority of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) to impose an assessment on municipalities to help fund departmental operations. Passage of the bill would yield savings to cities and towns of up to $7 million per year.The Honorable Doug Von Gausig, Mayor of Clarkdale and Vice President of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, appeared before the committee to testify in support of the bill. In addition, more than thirty Arizona municipalities formally registered their support of the legislation. The bill passed the committee unanimously. It will next be heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday, February 6. Cities and towns are encouraged to communicate their support of the bill to appropriators by using the Legislature's Request to Speak system. On Thursday, February 2, the House Committee on Agriculture and Water considered related legislation, HB 2493 (department of water resources; funding). The bill would establish a joint committee to determine alternative funding mechanisms for ADWR. In the meantime, the municipal water assessment would continue for two years. HB 2493 passed the committee by a unanimous vote. |
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Legislative Bulletin is published by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. Forward your comments or suggestions to league@azleague.org. |
