HB0180

Failed

Amending local surface water runoff system authority.

Cities and towns gain authority to establish and manage surface water runoff diversion systems and set related fees.

Full legal title

AN ACT relating to cities and towns; amending the authority for cities, towns and boards of public utilities to establish a water system for diverting surface water runoff; amending the authority for cities and towns to prescribe and regulate fees and charges for the diversion or management of surface water runoff; specifying requirements for existing surface water diversion or runoff systems; making conforming amendments; providing an appropriation; and providing for an effective date.

Budget Water

Sponsor:

Co-sponsors: Representative(s) Banks, Filer, Neiman, Strock, Wharff, Senator(s) Boner, Crum, Laursen, D, Love

View on wyoleg.gov Introduced Text (PDF)Digest (PDF)Fiscal Note (PDF)

What does this bill do?

Establishes requirements for cities, towns, and boards of public utilities to reclassify existing surface water runoff and diversion systems as drainage utilities or refund collected fees by July 1, 2027.

Requires surface water diversion and runoff systems established before April 1, 2026 to either be reclassified into a surface water drainage utility (subject to voter approval) or operate using only non-fee-based municipal funds by July 1, 2027. (W.S. 15-7-115(a), Sec. 1)
Mandates that all fees and charges collected for surface water runoff management under the prior authority shall terminate on April 1, 2026, with refunds due to users by September 1, 2027 unless the system is reclassified or operates without user fees. (W.S. 15-7-115(b), Sec. 1)
Allows retention of pre-April 1, 2026 collected fees that were pledged as revenues for repayment of revenue bonds issued before that date. (W.S. 15-7-115(c), Sec. 1)
Applies the same reclassification and refund requirements to cities and towns that completed surface water improvements before April 1, 2026, requiring dissolution of the improvement entity on July 1, 2027 if not reclassified. (W.S. 15-6-102(c), Sec. 2)
Applies the same reclassification and refund requirements to boards of public utilities that established or operated surface water diversion or runoff systems before April 1, 2026. (W.S. 15-7-401(b), Sec. 2)
Authorizes cities and towns to charge fees for surface water diversion or runoff systems only after voter approval at the time of establishment and requires resubmission of the fee question to voters every four years. (W.S. 15-7-115(a)(ii)(B), Sec. 1)
Permits boards of public utilities to be designated as the administering entity for surface water drainage utilities. (W.S. 16-10-105(a), Sec. 2)
Appropriates five thousand dollars to the Office of State Lands and Investments for distribution on a pro rata basis to cities and towns transitioning existing systems to surface water drainage utilities, available through June 30, 2028. (Sec. 3)

Actions (3)

2/13/2026(House)

H Did not Consider for Introduction

2/11/2026(House)

H Received for Introduction

2/11/2026(LSO)

Bill Number Assigned

Roll Call Votes (0)

No roll call votes recorded.