The bill amends various sections of Wyoming water law to clarify that the destruction of water molecules, specifically through the separation of hydrogen and oxygen atoms for industrial hydrogen production, does not constitute a beneficial use of water. It introduces new subsections in W.S. 41-3-101, 41-3-104, 41-3-931, 41-3-932, and 41-4-503, which collectively establish that applications for water use that would result in such destruction must be denied if the source of supply has been subject to priority regulation or has been regulated to comply with interstate compacts or Supreme Court decrees within the last ten years. Additionally, the bill specifies that this prohibition does not apply to applications for by-product water.

The act will take effect on July 1, 2026, and will apply to all new water permit applications or changes in water use filed on or after that date. It also stipulates that any permits or water rights issued before this date will not authorize the destruction of water molecules unless explicitly permitted under prior law. This legislative change aims to protect water resources by ensuring that their use aligns with beneficial purposes and does not lead to detrimental practices.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 41-3-101, 41-3-104, 41-3-931, 41-3-932, 41-4-503