A water-related bill moving through the Arizona Legislature, Arizona House Bill 2103, has now passed both chambers and has been sent to the Governor for final action. The Governor may choose to sign the bill into law or veto it.
Community members have asked what this bill does and whether it could affect rural areas like La Paz County, where many households rely on private wells or water delivery systems. Below is a summary of the proposal and what it could mean in practice if it becomes law.
What the Bill Proposes
HB 2103 would allow counties to establish a Water Improvements Program that could provide grants to certain homeowners to help address drinking water system challenges.
The program would be optional. Each county’s Board of Supervisors would decide whether or not to create the program and designate an entity to administer it.
If implemented, grants could be used for improvements such as:
- Deepening an existing residential drinking water well
- Installing storage tanks for receiving hauled water
- Plumbing or replumbing a home for a water delivery system
- Infrastructure related to water hauling for residential use
These improvements are often associated with rural areas where residents rely on wells or hauled water rather than municipal systems.
Who Could Qualify
The proposed program would limit grant eligibility to:
- Low-income homeowners
- Fixed-income homeowners
- Owners of residential property
The intent appears to be to assist households that may have limited financial resources to address water system issues.
Funding Limitations
One notable feature of the bill is that it does not allocate state funding for the program.
In addition, the bill specifies that county General Fund money cannot be used to fund the grants.
Instead, counties would need to rely on other funding sources, which could include:
- Donations
- External grants
- Other non-county funding sources
Because of this limitation, the availability of grants would depend on whether funding can be secured.
Comparison: HB 2103 vs. HB 2933
Another bill introduced this session, Arizona House Bill 2933, addresses a similar issue but takes a different approach.
Both bills reference assistance programs that could help homeowners improve drinking water systems. However, they differ in how those programs could be funded.
- HB 2103 allows counties to create assistance programs but does not establish a funding source.
- HB 2933 proposes linking water assistance funding to groundwater transportation fees paid when groundwater is moved out of a county. A portion of those fees could be used to support residents in the basin where the groundwater originated.
While HB 2103 has progressed through the Legislature and is awaiting the Governor’s decision, HB 2933 has not advanced as far in the legislative process.
What Happens Next
Because HB 2103 has passed the Arizona Legislature, it has now been sent to the Governor. The Governor can:
- Sign the bill into law
- Veto the bill
If signed, counties would then have the option to establish the program and determine how it would be administered locally.
How This Fits Into the Broader Water Conversation
HB 2103 focuses on household-level drinking water assistance rather than groundwater regulation or water management policy.
Supporters often view programs like this as a way to help households address challenges with wells or water delivery systems. Others note that these types of programs address impacts experienced by residents rather than the underlying factors that affect groundwater availability.
As water issues continue to be discussed across Arizona, legislation, groundwater management, and local infrastructure needs all play a role in shaping how communities respond to water challenges.
Staying Informed
The Water Alliance of La Paz County will continue monitoring water legislation and sharing information about policies that may affect residents who rely on groundwater in the region.
Community members are encouraged to stay informed and share their questions or perspectives as these discussions continue.