HB0087

Appropriates funds for water development studies and extends a deadline for an existing water storage project study.

• Appropriates $2,186,997 from water development account I to conduct Level I reconnaissance studies for nine water master plans and a statewide water research program. Allows unobligated funds for one project to be used for other projects in the list. Requires reports to the legislature by 2028. Funds not obligated by July 1, 2029 revert to the account. (Sec. 1, W.S. 41-2-124(a)(i), W.S. 41-2-114)
• Appropriates $327,000 from water development account I to conduct a Level II feasibility study for the Bedford and Turnerville Regional Supply project in Lincoln County. Allows unobligated funds to be used for other projects if needed. Requires a report to the legislature by 2028. Funds not obligated by July 1, 2029 revert to the account. (Sec. 2, W.S. 41-2-124(a)(i), W.S. 41-2-114)
• Appropriates $470,000 from water development account II to conduct a Level I reconnaissance study for the Shoshone Irrigation District Master Plan in Park County. Allows unobligated funds to be used for other projects if needed. Requires a report to the legislature by 2028. Funds not obligated by July 1, 2029 revert to the account. (Sec. 3, W.S. 41-2-124(a)(ii), W.S. 41-2-114)
• Appropriates $528,000 from water development account II to conduct Level II feasibility studies for the Casper Alcova Irrigation District Lateral Rehabilitation and Wheatland Source and Transmission Evaluation projects. Allows unobligated funds for one project to be used for the other. Requires reports to the legislature by 2028. Funds not obligated by July 1, 2029 revert to the account. (Sec. 4, W.S. 41-2-124(a)(ii), W.S. 41-2-114)
• Appropriates $175,000 from water development account I to the office of water programs for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028. Funds may not be transferred or used for other purposes and must revert on June 30, 2028. (Sec. 5, W.S. 41-2-124(a)(i), W.S. 41-2-125)
• Extends the deadline for obligating funds on the Nowood River Storage – Alkali Creek project from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2027, changing the time extension from seven to nine years. Requires a report to the legislature prior to the 2026 legislative session instead of 2024. Increases the appropriation for this project from $4,420,000 to $5,995,000.