The bill amends existing laws regarding the acquisition and management of temporary water rights in Wyoming. It extends the maximum duration for which temporary water rights can be granted from two years to five years, with the possibility of renewal for additional five-year periods, allowing a total of up to ten years for any temporary transfer. The bill also specifies that temporary water rights can be used for beneficial purposes, excluding instream flows, and establishes that the state engineer must ensure that such transfers do not injuriously affect the rights of other water appropriators.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the rights of owners of permanent water rights in relation to temporary water rights. It grants senior water right owners the authority to demand the cessation of water diversion by temporary users if their rights are not fully satisfied. Furthermore, junior water right owners can request the state water commissioner to shut off a temporary diversion if it injures their rights, although the commissioner cannot act if the diversion does not cause injury. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
25LSO-0099 v0.6: 41-3-110, 41-3-111