The bill amends existing laws regarding the acquisition and use of temporary water rights in Wyoming. It extends the maximum duration for which temporary water rights can be acquired from two years to five years, allowing individuals to use water for temporary beneficial purposes. The bill also introduces a provision that the state engineer must ensure that any temporary transfer does not injuriously affect the rights of other appropriators. Additionally, it allows for the renewal of temporary transfers for successive periods, with each period not exceeding five years.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies the rights of owners of senior water rights in relation to temporary water rights. It stipulates that if a senior water right owner cannot fully satisfy their right while a temporary user is diverting water, they have the absolute right to demand that the diversion be shut off until their water right is satisfied or it is proven that the diversion does not affect their rights. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 41-3-110, 41-3-111