WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 2477

Relating to animals.

2025 Regular Session

Arizona HB 2477 imposes an annual groundwater withdrawal fee on lessees of state agricultural lands outside AMAs/INAs to fund beneficiary trusts.

In committee upon adjournment.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2477

Note on source documents
- The materials provided appear to combine two different measures both labeled “HB 2477” from different states: (A) an Arizona bill adding a groundwater withdrawal fee on state-land agricultural leases; and (B) an Illinois pension bill changing retirement eligibility for Tier 2 police. The summary below treats them separately so readers can see each bill’s purpose and key provisions.

A. Arizona — HB 2477 (State lands; groundwater use)
Purpose / intent
- Create a statutory basis for charging an annual groundwater withdrawal fee to lessees of state trust agricultural lands who pump groundwater for irrigation outside Arizona’s Active Management Areas (AMAs) and Irrigation Non‑Expansion Areas (INAs). The Legislature states the fee should reflect the fair market value of the groundwater withdrawn.

Key provisions
- Adds ARS § 37‑292. The Arizona State Land Department (the Department) will adopt rules and collect an annual groundwater withdrawal fee from each lessee of state agricultural trust land that is located outside an AMA or INA and that uses groundwater for irrigation.
- Annual reporting requirement (due March 31 each year) for affected lessees:
1. Well location;
2. Quantity of groundwater withdrawn during the prior calendar year;
3. Specific uses of the groundwater during the prior calendar year.
- Fees collected are deposited into “the fund of the appropriate beneficiary” (i.e., the beneficiary fund associated with the leased trust land).
- Cross‑references definitions (AMA, INA, “irrigation use”) to ARS § 45‑402.

Who is affected
- Lessees of state trust agricultural land located outside AMAs/INAs who irrigate with groundwater.
- Arizona State Land Department (to promulgate rules, collect fees, and process reports).
- State trust beneficiaries (receipt of fee deposits may affect trust revenues).

Procedural / status
- Introduced Feb 5, 2025. Status listed as Rule 19(a) / Re‑referred to Rules Committee (per the provided actions). The bill directs the Department to adopt implementing rules.

B. Illinois — HB 2477 (Pension Code; police retirement)
Purpose
- Amend the Illinois Pension Code to expand earlier retirement eligibility for certain Tier 2 police members, and to treat any resulting benefit changes under the State Mandates and pension funding rules.

Key provisions
- Amends 40 ILCS 5/15‑135: A Tier 2 member with at least 20 years of service as a police officer is entitled to a retirement annuity upon written application on or after age 55 (previously age 60) if “Rule 4” of §15‑136 applies to the participant.
- Amends 40 ILCS 5/15‑198: Clarifies that any benefit increase resulting from this amendatory act is excluded from the statutory definition of “new benefit increase” (which triggers funding and expiration rules).
- Requires State Mandates Act implementation without reimbursement (i.e., the state will not pay local government reimbursement for costs).
- The bill text indicates retroactive application to January 1, 2011 for certain changes.

Who is affected
- Tier 2 police officers with at least 20 years of service (they could retire earlier at age 55 under qualifying rules).
- State pension system (SURS) funding and actuarial calculations; potential fiscal impact depending on uptake.
- Employers and local entities covered by the Tier 2 system (noting the bill says implementation is without reimbursement).

Procedural / status
- Introduced in the Illinois General Assembly (filed Feb 4–5, 2025 in the provided materials). Sponsors shown include Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit (primary). The bill was referred to pension‑related committees and has several procedural entries (first reading, committee assignments).

Implications and issues to watch
- Arizona bill: rulemaking details (fee rate, measurement/verification of withdrawals, enforcement) and impacts on agricultural lease economics and trust revenue.
- Illinois bill: fiscal impact on pension liabilities and employer contribution rates, administrative mechanics for early retirements, and the effect of excluding the change from “new benefit increase” funding rules.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.