The bill authorizes the construction of various water development projects in Wyoming, detailing specific projects, their sponsors, purposes, and funding mechanisms. It establishes new legal provisions under W.S. 99-3-3101 through 99-3-3104, which include definitions, general authorizations, and specific project details. Notable projects include a water transmission pipeline in Alpine, a snowpack augmentation program in the Wind River and Sierra Madre mountain ranges, and municipal water supply projects in Gillette and LaGrange. Each project is allocated a budget, with the state providing grants and appropriations from the water development accounts, while requiring sponsors to secure a portion of the funding from other sources.

Additionally, the bill outlines terms and conditions for funding, including grants and loans, and specifies that unexpended funds will revert to the respective water development accounts by July 1, 2031. It includes provisions for small water development projects, defining them and establishing criteria for funding, while emphasizing public benefit and compliance with engineering standards. The bill also authorizes the transfer of sixteen million dollars from water development account I to account II and appropriates one hundred fifty-five thousand dollars from the general fund to the University of Wyoming for a study on forest management's impact on water yield. It amends existing law to change reversion dates for unexpended funds from 2026 to 2028 for various projects and increases appropriations for specific projects, with the act taking effect immediately upon completion of legislative processes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 99-3-1503, 99-3-2003, 99-3-2103, 99-3-2203, 99-3-2205, 99-3-2303, 99-3-2406, 99-3-2604, 99-3-3003