45-2421. Arizona water banking authority

A. The Arizona water banking authority is established. The purposes, powers and duties of the authority shall be executed by a commission to be known as the Arizona water banking authority commission.

B. The commission consists of the following members who are residents of this state:

1. The director of water resources who serves as chairperson of the commission.

2. The president of CAWCD or a representative designated by that president.

3. One person who is appointed by the governor pursuant to section 38-211 and who is knowledgeable in water resource management.

4. One person appointed by the governor pursuant to section 38-211 who represents an entity that holds a central Arizona project municipal and industrial subcontract.

5. One person appointed by the governor pursuant to section 38-211 who represents an entity located in a county adjacent to the mainstream of the Colorado river that holds a valid contract with the secretary of the interior executed before June 1, 1996, for diversion and beneficial consumptive use of Colorado river water in that county.

C. The commission members appointed by the governor shall serve a six year term of office. A member may serve more than one term and may continue to serve beyond the expiration of the term until a successor is appointed and assumes office. The term of office for the commission members appointed by the governor begins and ends on the third Monday in January. The commission members appointed pursuant to subsection B, paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 may be removed by the governor for cause.

D. The commission members appointed by the governor serve without compensation but are eligible for reimbursement for expenses from the banking fund pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2.

E. In order to qualify for office members of the commission shall take and subscribe to an official oath to perform the duties of their office. The oath shall be filed with the director. The official oaths shall be in the form prescribed by law for official oaths of state officers.

F. The president of the senate, or a senator designated by the president, and the speaker of the house of representatives, or a representative designated by the speaker, shall each serve as nonvoting ex officio members of the commission.

G. Members of the commission are public officers and are subject to all provisions of law applicable to these officers.

H. Members of the commission are immune from liability for any action necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.