Bill will now go to the State Senate
Contributed Article/Courtesy Arizona House of Representatives
PHOENIX – The Arizona House of Representatives on Tuesday unanimously passed House Bill 2116, bipartisan legislation sponsored by State Representative Gail Griffin to strengthen Arizona’s legal defense fund in the event of litigation over Colorado River water.
HB 2116 appropriates $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 to the Colorado River Litigation Fund, which was created in 2025 to be used solely by the Arizona Department of Water Resources to take legal action, if necessary, to protect and defend Arizona’s lawful entitlement to Colorado River water. The bill advanced from the House Natural Resources, Energy and Water Committee and the Appropriations Committee with bipartisan support.
Arizona depends on firm enforcement of interstate water compacts to protect the state’s long-term water supply for municipalities, agriculture, military bases, housing, and semiconductor fabricators, among other industries. As negotiations among Basin states continue and delivery shortfalls draw closer, state leaders have warned that court action may become unavoidable if existing legal obligations are disregarded.
“Arizona does not get to wish its way out of a water fight,” said Representative Gail Griffin. “Other states have been positioning themselves for court long before this fund was created. Hopefully, the fund will not be needed, but if it is—this bill makes sure that Arizona is ready to defend the water that millions of people and billions of dollars of economic activity, depend on. Waiting until a lawsuit is filed to start planning would be reckless. HB 2116 puts Arizona on offense, not defense.”
HB 2116 now heads to the Arizona Senate for consideration.
Gail Griffin is a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives serving Legislative District 19, which includes areas of Greenlee, Graham, Cochise, and eastern Pima and Santa Cruz Counties. She also serves as Chairman of the House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee.
