FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 26, 2026
PHOENIX, ARIZONA—With Arizona fighting further Colorado River cuts in court, Senator Tim Dunn is drafting legislation to create an Arizona Colorado River Commission and calling on Congress to advance HR 10420, Congressman Andy Biggs' Colorado River Basin Water Security and Infrastructure Act.
Arizona is the only Lower Basin state without a dedicated state-level Colorado River Commission. Senator Dunn's proposal would establish one to strengthen Arizona water contract holders' position in negotiations with other Basin states. His push comes after Arizona joined Nevada's lawsuit challenging new federal river operating rules. U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has warned that leaving water allocation decisions to a judge could backfire on Arizona.
Senator Dunn spent the past year helping develop key ideas in Congressman Biggs' bill, focusing on additional water supplies and the infrastructure required to deliver them to Arizona communities with the greatest need. The effort builds on legislative Republicans' work through the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority to support conservation and long-term investments in new water sources.
"Arizona families, farmers, and businesses cannot afford a future defined only by deeper cuts and higher costs," said Senator Dunn. "Legislative Republicans have already invested in conservation and the tools to develop additional supplies. I've worked this past year on ideas now included in Congressman Biggs' bill because Arizona needs a comprehensive plan that brings new water into the system and moves it where it is needed most. Conservation is essential, but telling our state to stop growing and simply make do with less is not a strategy. Arizona feeds the nation and supports industries critical to America's independence and defense. Congress must advance these projects, and I am drafting legislation to establish an Arizona Colorado River Commission so we can strengthen our water contract holders' position in negotiations with other Basin states."
HR 10420 would authorize $19 billion for water supply and infrastructure investments across the seven Colorado River Basin states, including a $5 billion Colorado River Basin Water Augmentation Fund. Eligible projects would receive $2 in federal assistance for every $1 in nonfederal funding, subject to appropriations. States, local governments, tribes, utilities, and private entities could pursue desalination, aquifer recharge, storage, treatment, and infrastructure to move water. Projects benefiting multiple states and producing measurable additional supplies would receive priority. The bill would accelerate federal permitting, requiring agencies to determine whether applications are complete within 30 days and issue final decisions within 180 days, with a limited extension of up to 90 days.
To help meet U.S. treaty obligations to Mexico while preserving Colorado River water, the legislation would require the Yuma Desalting Plant to be restored to operational status within 180 days of enactment. It would authorize $1 billion for the plant's restoration, operation, modernization, and expansion, plus $1 billion for desalination projects in Mexico, with the Departments of State and Interior coordinating negotiations. An additional $12 billion would support federal water infrastructure, including feasibility studies for capturing water otherwise discharged to the Pacific Ocean in California, water supply projects serving Arizona and Nevada, and Upper Basin water development.
Senator Dunn is urging water users across all seven Basin states to contact their Republican and Democratic members of Congress in support of HR 10420. Developing additional supplies could help protect water users from rising costs while supporting the communities, agriculture, and industries that depend on the river.
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus