The bill authorizes the construction and funding of various water development projects in Wyoming, establishing new legal provisions under W.S. 99-3-3001 through 99-3-3004. It details specific projects, such as the Big Horn Regional JPB South Transmission Project aimed at enhancing water supply, and cloud seeding initiatives to increase winter snowpack. Each project is assigned defined budgets and grant amounts, with sponsors required to secure a portion of funding from other sources. The bill also amends existing appropriations, transferring funds between water development accounts and specifying terms for grants and loans, including projects like the Casper Tank Replacement and the Cottonwood Irrigation District Pipeline Replacement.

Additionally, the bill makes significant amendments to existing legal language, increasing the total project budget for the Project Sponsor's Contingency Fund-Rehabilitation from $5.7 million to $8.6 million and adjusting the loan percentage from 33% to 50% of the difference between the original project budget and actual construction costs. It also raises the budget for the GR/RS/SC JPWB Pump Station from $11,190,000 to $20,120,000 and modifies the required percentage of funding that sponsors must secure from other sources. The reversion date for unexpended funds is extended from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2028, allowing more time for project completion. The bill is designed to enhance water infrastructure and management across the state while ensuring fiscal responsibility and collaboration with local entities.

Statutes affected:
25LSO-0452 v0.6: 99-3-1106, 99-3-2203, 99-3-2205, 99-3-2303, 99-3-2404, 99-3-2406, 99-3-2503, 99-3-2504, 99-3-2603