All Roll Calls
Yes: 200 • No: 4
WyomingSF 842026 Budget SessionSenate
AN ACT relating to water within Wyoming's portion of the Colorado River basin; establishing a voluntary water conservation program; providing an application and approval process for the program; providing an appeal process; authorizing the storage and release of water conserved under the program; establishing a sunset date; providing legislative findings; requiring a report; requiring rulemaking; authorizing positions; providing an appropriation; and providing for an effective date.
Sponsored By: null Water
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Wyoming water users get conservation options
Wyoming’s Colorado River basin water users can seek State Engineer approval for voluntary conservation projects under valid water rights. Projects must reduce water consumption or help meet Wyoming’s interstate water compact duties. Unless serving those compact duties, applicants must show water consumption in at least 3 of the previous 5 years. Non-owner applicants need written owner consent; projects affecting land within covered water districts also need written district consent. Temporary projects that stop direct natural-flow irrigation generally cannot last more than 5 consecutive years. After 2–5 consecutive years, the right needs at least 2 years of use for its approved purpose before rejoining. Projects that also make lasting water savings through irrigation-system improvements are exempt from those time limits. Approved projects cannot cause loss, abandonment, or impairment of participating rights; original rights and uses automatically return when projects end.
Wyoming funds staff for water conservation
The law provides $510,000 from Wyoming’s general fund for 2 additional full-time staff positions and water program startup costs. The positions are authorized from the law’s effective date through June 30, 2028. The money cannot be transferred or used for unrelated purposes. Unspent, uncommitted funds return to the general fund on June 30, 2028.
Stored water can help Wyoming users
The State Engineer and Wyoming Water Development Office can help store conserved water in Fontenelle Reservoir under federal storage contracts. The State Engineer can also explore storage in other suitable Wyoming basin reservoirs under contracts with their owners. Releases can support water use in Wyoming, reduce harm from forced water-use cuts, or meet interstate water compact duties.
Water applicants face fees and deadlines
Conservation applicants must pay a review fee of up to $50 when applying. The State Engineer keeps the fee even if the application is refused or withdrawn. Starting July 1, 2032, the State Engineer cannot approve new conservation projects. That cutoff does not automatically end projects approved earlier.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
null Water
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
S Concur:Passed 31-0-0-0-0
Yes: 31 • No: 0
House vote • 3/4/2026
H 3rd Reading:Passed 60-0-2-0-0
Yes: 60 • No: 0
House vote • 3/2/2026
H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 7-0-0-0-0
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • 2/26/2026
H05 - Agriculture:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
S 3rd Reading:Passed 31-0-0-0-0
Yes: 31 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/19/2026
Recalled from Committee Pursuant to Senate Rule 5-5: 29-2-0-0-0
Yes: 29 • No: 2
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
S05 - Agriculture:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/10/2026
S Introduced and Referred to S05 - Agriculture 28-2-1-0-0
Yes: 28 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Assigned Chapter Number 100
3/7/2026Governor Signed SEA No. 0062
3/7/2026GovernorH Speaker Signed SEA No. 0062
3/6/2026HouseS President Signed SEA No. 0062
3/6/2026SenateAssigned Number SEA No. 0062
3/5/2026S Concur:Passed 31-0-0-0-0
3/5/2026SenateS Received for Concurrence
3/5/2026SenateH 3rd Reading:Passed 60-0-2-0-0
3/4/2026HouseH 2nd Reading:Passed
3/3/2026HouseH COW:Passed
3/2/2026HouseH Placed on General File
3/2/2026HouseH02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 7-0-0-0-0
3/2/2026HouseH COW:Rerefer to H02 - Appropriations
2/27/2026HouseH Placed on General File
2/26/2026HouseH05 - Agriculture:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0
2/26/2026HouseH Introduced and Referred to H05 - Agriculture
2/24/2026HouseH Received for Introduction
2/24/2026HouseS 3rd Reading:Passed 31-0-0-0-0
2/23/2026SenateS 2nd Reading:Passed
2/20/2026SenateS COW:Passed
2/19/2026SenateRecalled from Committee Pursuant to Senate Rule 5-5: 29-2-0-0-0
2/19/2026Senate:Rerefer to S02 - Appropriations
2/17/2026SenateS05 - Agriculture:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0
2/17/2026SenateS Introduced and Referred to S05 - Agriculture 28-2-1-0-0
2/10/2026SenateS Received for Introduction
2/9/2026Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
Introduced
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