WyomingSF 702026 Budget SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT relating to water development projects; authorizing construction of designated water projects; describing projects; specifying terms and conditions of funding for projects; providing grants; providing loans; providing appropriations; amending amounts and terms of appropriations for specified prior projects; transferring funds from water development account I to water development account II; transferring a project; requiring studies; requiring a report; and providing for an effective date.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Alkali Creek funds extended; no eminent domain

The $59 million for the Alkali Creek Reservoir stays available through July 1, 2027. Starting January 1, 2027, the money cannot be used for eminent domain, and no further time extensions are allowed. This keeps funds available to finish work while protecting nearby property owners from takings under this appropriation.

Grants for local water tanks and pipes

The law gives matching grants to six towns for water work: Alpine (up to $210,000), Gillette ($2,559,500), LaGrange ($370,000), Cowley design ($182,000), Glenrock design ($467,000), and Greybull tank and pipeline ($1,582,000). Each grant pays up to 50% of actual costs, and the town must fund the rest. Money for Cowley, Glenrock, and Greybull comes from Account II and is available only after the authorized fund transfer. Any unused grant money reverts on July 1, 2031.

Irrigation upgrades: grants and 4% loans

The law funds irrigation fixes with a mix of grants and 4% loans. Big Horn Canal’s Five Mile Pipeline gets a grant up to $2,272,300 and a 20‑year, 4% loan up to the same cap. Cody Canal’s Lead Diversion gets a grant up to $2,221,000 and a 40‑year, 4% loan up to $2,102,000; the sponsor must also cover 2.7% of the total budget. The Roan Wash Spill project gets a grant up to $320,500 and a 30‑year, 4% loan up to $320,500. Deaver and Goshen districts receive materials‑only grants ($135,325; $106,100; $177,500) for approved vendor invoices; districts must use professional engineers. Most items draw on Account II after the authorized fund transfer, and unused amounts revert on July 1, 2031.

Battle Lake work and water study

The state grants up to $1,092,000 or 50% of costs for the Little Snake River Battle Lake modification and forest management demo. Sponsors must fund the other half, and unused money reverts on July 1, 2031. The law also gives $155,000 to the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station to study evapotranspiration and water yield, with at least $35,000 for an online mapping platform. The study report is due by November 1, 2030, and any unused study funds revert on June 30, 2030.

Bigger budget for Hoback Junction water

The Hoback Junction public water system budget is set at $2,497,000. The state grants up to $1,248,500 or 50% of actual costs, whichever is less. Any unused grant funds revert on July 1, 2030.

More time to spend past project funds

The law extends reversion dates so prior projects can finish work. Extensions cover Melody Ranch ($944,700), Austin‑Wall Reservoir ($374,000), Interstate Diversion ($420,000), Interstate Irrigation and Reservoir District ($2,827,400), Ethete Water Supply, Arapahoe Pipeline and Tank, Arapahoe Water Supply 2016, and Broken Wheel Ranch Water Supply 2017. These funds now revert on July 1, 2027 or July 1, 2028, as listed for each project.

Small water projects: $35K cap and review

The small water projects program gets $1 million total. The commission can cover up to 50% of costs, but no more than $35,000 for any one small project, with monthly progress payments up to 50% of eligible expenses. Projects need certification and must meet engineering standards; some commission procedures are exempt, and the state public‑works rule does not apply unless the sponsor labels the job a public work. Unused funds revert on July 1, 2031. The water office must also study ways to cut costs and speed reviews and report by November 1, 2026.

Winter cloud seeding with outside funding

The state can run a winter 2026–2027 cloud seeding program with a $891,429 project budget. Operations cannot start until other Colorado River basin users or interested parties commit to cover at least 100% of operating costs.

Douglas can take Sheep Mountain well

The commission can transfer the Sheep Mountain No. 2 test well to the City of Douglas if it finds the move is in the public interest and the city can run it. The city must reimburse at least $610,838 in predevelopment costs, pay for property, and follow all laws. This lets Douglas build and operate the well locally, with local repayment obligations.

Shifts money between water accounts

The commission moves $16.225 million from Water Development Account I to Account II. Another $225,000 moves back from Account II to Account I on July 1, 2026. These shifts change which account can pay for projects but do not send money directly to households.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

null Water
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 230 • No: 66

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

S Concur:Passed 21-10-0-0-0

Yes: 21 • No: 10

House vote • 3/3/2026

H 3rd Reading:Passed 59-1-2-0-0

Yes: 59 • No: 1

House vote • 3/3/2026

Amendment adopted 60-0-2-0-0

Yes: 60 • No: 0

House vote • 3/2/2026

Amendment failed 7-51-4-0-0

Yes: 7 • No: 51

House vote • 2/25/2026

H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 7-0-0-0-0

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 2/24/2026

H05 - Agriculture:Recommend Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/18/2026

S 3rd Reading:Passed 26-4-1-0-0

Yes: 26 • No: 4

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

S02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/10/2026

S05 - Agriculture:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0