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Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law (COL) Students
Laws affecting the environment can be found in many parts the Arizona Revised Statutes. The following titles may be especially relevant to researchers of environmental law and sustainability.
A.R.S. Title 3 – Agriculture
Creates the Department of Agriculture and regulates plants, pests, livestock, fertilizers, pesticides, and more.
A.R.S. Title 17 – Game and Fish
Creates the Game and Fish Department, regulates the taking and handling of wildlife, and permits conservation and restoration projects.
A.R.S. Title 27 – Minerals, Oil and Gas
Creates the Arizona Geological Survey, regulates oil and gas production, and authorizes mined land reclamation.
A.R.S. Title 37 – Public Lands
Creates the State Land Department and the Department of Forestry and Fire Management and governs the use of State land and streambeds.
A.R.S. Title 40 – Public Utilities and Carriers
Creates the Corporation Commission and governs utilities, railroads, mass transportation systems, and gas appliances.
A.R.S. Title 45 – Waters
Creates the Department of Water Resources and governs water conservation, storage, and use; weather modification; and more.
A.R.S. Title 49 – The Environment
Creates the Department of Environmental Quality and governs water and air quality control, solid waste management, hazardous waste disposal, and more.
The Arizona Executive Branch contains agencies that enforce the statutes passed by the Legislature. Many agencies create rules (also called regulations) to implement or interpret those statutes. Agency websites contain useful information about the statutes and regulations governing a specific area of law. Below are several agencies relevant to environmental law. Researchers can also review the Arizona Administrative Code (AAC), which contains all the regulations enacted by state agencies. For more information about the AAC, see the Arizona Agencies tab on the Arizona Law research guide.
Arizona Corporations Commission - Utilities Division
The Commission regulates investor-owned or privately-owned utilities that provide gas, water, wastewater, electricity, or telephone services. The Utilities Division recommends regulatory policy and rates to the Commissioners.
Arizona Department of Agriculture
The Arizona Department of Agriculture supports farming, ranching, and agribusiness by protecting plants and animals, issuing agriculture and environmental licenses, inspecting farming practices, and overseeing commerce standards and measurement devices.
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
This website includes information on environmental permitting requirements, overviews of programs to regulate air, water quality, and waste management, and links to relevant regulations, policies, and laws.
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management provides resources for the prevention and suppression of wildland fire on State Trust Land and private property located outside incorporated communities.
Arizona Department of Health Services - Environmental Health
This webpage includes information on toxins such as lead and pesticides, extreme weather, well water safety, food safety, and more.
Arizona Department of Water Resources
The Department of Water Resources exists to safeguard the health, safety, and economic welfare of the public by protecting, conserving, and enhancing Arizona's water supplies. This website features interactive maps and data and information about various water programs.
Arizona Game and Fish Department
The Arizona Game and Fish Department exists to conserve Arizona’s wildlife resources and to manage for safe, compatible outdoor recreation opportunities for current and future generations. The website provides links to the department's regulations and policies.
Arizona State Land Department
The State Land Department manages state trust land and resources on behalf of thirteen beneficiaries, which include public schools and institutions. The Department can lease the land for agricultural, mining, commercial, military, or residential purposes if the use benefits the beneficiaries and is minimally invasive. This website includes links to the Department's rules and policies.
Water Infrastructure Finance Authority
The Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona is an independent state agency authorized to finance the construction, rehabilitation, acquisition, and improvement of Arizona's water infrastructure. This website contains links to WIFA's rules and regulatory agenda.
Arizona Corporation Commission - Hearing Division
The Hearing Division’s Administrative Law Judges exercise the Commission’s authority to hold evidentiary hearings on cases involving the regulation and oversight of non-governmental utilities. Find information about eFiling and how to follow dockets on the Commission's website. You can also find Commission decisions on Westlaw (Westlaw password required) and Lexis+ (Lexis+ password required).
Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings
If a party is dissatisfied with a decision that a state agency has made, he or she may be able to appeal that decision to the Office of Administrative Hearings. As pertinent here, OAH reviews decisions made by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Arizona Department of Agriculture, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the Arizona Department of Water Resources, the State Land Department, and the Water Quality Appeals Board. The OAH portal provides access to case information and documents. The Decision Search portal provides access to Administrative Law Judge decisions. OAH Decisions can also be accessed on Lexis+ (Lexis+ password required).
Judicial Review of Administrative Decisions
If a party is dissatisfied with a decision made by a state agency or the Arizona Office of Administrative Appeals, they may be able to seek review in the court system. Information on accessing Arizona cases is available on the Arizona Courts page of the Law Library's Arizona Law research guide.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: EPA in Arizona
This EPA website discusses environmental information specific to Arizona and the Pacific Southwest (Region 9) such as news, air quality, water topics, and cleanup sites.