[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6691404,"mediaKeyId","2330882-d6690dfda1dff18c294229d94a94560d","parentId",2330882,"title","Wyoming panel narrows temporary water-use agreements to finite terms; in‑stream flow exclusion debated and rejected","audioSeconds",5584,"startMs",389000,"endMs",5973000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2330882-d6690dfda1dff18c294229d94a94560d&start=389&end=5973","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2330882-d6690dfda1dff18c294229d94a94560d/thumbnail_389000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6691404/Wyoming/Wyoming-panel-narrows-temporary-water-use-agreements-to-finite-terms-instream-flow-exclusion-debated-and-rejected","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6691404-c12f897a653f0b58dc0f77eb7497a2c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191056&Signature=KVRQvoom7nBGQQikjjKKoW~mT8eLRR6vutFhDhVLDIQjyYBR6dRSPd8dAq3-BfhvVdwvC4lvfjsSh98NfrDKSV~DvrK-jz9Q41EB-70lu7WlfwRSRTtx6MvjiQZtwSw34A4SjRcQ2ol~Qx9mSDDcNKC3SQz~gshaeLqvqZs3J9dOFGE-9IQZyt4ARH688~JS6bpObaMMXh2wjqrvr3pfaV3h7sOd6PRGm0ohuwMp61dDs6iy8xxekLUjOigHlxHvu0CeuQj-BDNX-6p9GbEWVJ2oGVZw-w8hLyEfj7CEIWdLdBxy-CCM8T5~fnkGqZsEe3YlnYH6uHyypO26BeJl7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wyoming Legislature","date","2025-02-18T16:24:53.08Z","article","The Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee on a voice vote moved Senate File 43, a bill that would limit the length of temporary water‑use agreements and add statutory clarity about how the agreements may be used.

The bill, presented by Senator Steinmetz, would allow the state engineer to approve temporary transfers for successive periods not to exceed five years each, with a total maximum transfer length of ten years. Steinmetz said the goal is to prevent effectively permanent arrangements being processed as perpetual temporary renewals: \"this bill seeks to limit those to 5 years,\" he told the committee.

Supporters said the measure codifies limits and reduces uncertainty for water users and regulators. Brandon Gilbert, state engineer, and Chris Brown of the attorney general's office told the committee the change grew from a multiyear review and that the revision clarifies the statute. Brown summarized the legal view on a recurring concern: \"the opinion ... concluded that neither this statute, the temporary transfer statute, nor the in‑stream flow statutes allow for the temporary transfer for an in‑stream flow purpose,\" meaning the AG's office does not view temporary transfers as a vehicle for in‑stream flow rights.

Why it matters: temporary transfers have been used as a flexible tool to meet short‑term water needs for construction, oil and gas operations and other purposes, and some users said they rely on the legal certainty such agreements provide. Opponents worried repeated renewals could remove water from irrigated acres for extended periods.

Committee discussion and amendments

The committee heard from irrigators' and conservation groups that voiced two persistent concerns: (1) that language be explicit to prevent temporary transfers from being used to secure in‑stream flow rights; and (2) that repeated renewals should not permit the permanent removal of water from irrigated land without a formal change of use.

The Wyoming Stockgrowers Association and others proposed an amendment to reinsert a sentence excluding the \"beneficial use of in‑stream flows\" from temporary transfers (as had been included earlier in the bill's drafting). Multiple witnesses — including Jim McGavin of the Wyoming Stockgrowers Association, Jack Berger of Multi Generation Ranch, and Holly Kennedy of the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts — urged the committee to restore the in‑stream flow exclusion to make the statute explicit rather than rely solely on AG opinion.

Senator Hicks and representatives of the state engineer's office urged caution about overconstraining property rights. Gilbert noted the temporary tool provides flexibility in an otherwise rigid appropriation system and said the office already investigates potential injury to other appropriators when a temporary transfer is in place.

The committee divided the stockgrowers' proposal into two parts. The first part, restoring explicit exclusion of in‑stream flow uses, failed on a committee division vote. The second part — language intended to require that, after expiration of a temporary transfer, irrigation water rights be returned to their adjudicated purpose for a period equaling at least half the prior temporary use period before another temporary transfer could apply — also failed on a subsequent division vote.

Votes and formal action

The committee approved Senate File 43 as engrossed, with the final roll‑call recorded as six ayes and three noes (Banks, Davis, Johnson, Otman, Provenza, Schmidt — ayes; Eklund, Strauch, Chairman Winter — noes). The committee record shows the motion to move the bill was made and seconded and that the committee accepted the bill without the stockgrowers' amendments.

What remained unresolved: multiple public witnesses and committee members asked for clearer guardrails on repeated use over time and how the statute would be applied in practice. Witnesses asked for explicit protections for junior appropriators; state staff explained the statute provides both front‑end review (assessment at application) and back‑end processes (commissioner investigation and suspension if injury is claimed). The AG's office and the state engineer emphasized that the statute, as revised, is intended to provide clarity but can raise policy tradeoffs between flexibility and protection of irrigation users.

Looking ahead: the bill will move forward from committee as approved; proponents said it provides clearer limits on temporary transfers, while opponents and several ranching and conservation groups said they will continue seeking statutory language that more tightly limits reuse and excludes in‑stream flow uses in the law itself.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee, February 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee on a voice vote moved Senate File 43, a bill that would limit the length of temporary water‑use agreements and add statutory clarity about how the agreements may be used.","taxTitle","Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee, House of Representative, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming","taxId",61348,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6691393,"Committee approves specialty rodeo license plate to raise funds for college rodeo programs",847,6004000,6851000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2330882-d6690dfda1dff18c294229d94a94560d&start=6004&end=6851","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2330882-d6690dfda1dff18c294229d94a94560d/thumbnail_6004000.jpg","/articles/6691393/Wyoming/Committee-approves-specialty-rodeo-license-plate-to-raise-funds-for-college-rodeo-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6691393-32764ca4ce821c0c3602c2c18b941627/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191056&Signature=Jp2bka4LDOIAvFPbfjij8rKSI~1~CZ50XweF3kfZtSDINAX5BImHwV4LHAMIsCfW1mCS2f~T4OvX~kDbDSSlrneOkqsmAsEDK7rzwzWGS~dYPDoTozudQrpm1i6-pGwD~xfgCLhxebV6v-G8GSujLcRtzS~qYypTLY501mo91G0UmqrrQwMNbuyg~zcYaNYK6BBpY64KKQJ0aRThCUv0IY98nodMm9xix1qSYTeMz0gStxbmVKKlIy3IblEOB8hI8XGEKEMqz2PX6lbrVtsfruVDUbpDyBa7x4OWfN~6Rx~iJcfo33uHsW7YuUDOylrhZfGtydCW60IaijtzbTJxtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee approved Senate File 121 to create a specialty \"rodeo\" license plate to support collegiate rodeo programs at the University of Wyoming and community colleges.

Senator Bonner presented the bill as modeled on existing donor license plates. He described the plate as a way to \"raise funds for those rodeo programs\" and said the Department of Transportation would produce the design and could make plates available by Jan. 1, 2026, if the bill passes.

Committee amendment and final vote

Representative Johnson moved an amendment to increase the specialty plate fee and to direct an additional flat donation to college rodeo programs. The Department of Transportation representative told the committee that current statute sets a specialty plate fee that covers production costs; the DOT said production start‑up costs are modest and that an additional specified donation could be added to direct money to college rodeo programs. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill on a 9‑0 roll call.

Why it matters: the bill creates a voluntary, revenue‑generating specialty plate that supporters said will both promote rodeo as the state's sport and provide a funding stream for university and community college rodeo teams.

Details

Under the committee amendment approved in committee, the plate fee was adjusted so that purchasers pay a higher flat specialty plate fee and $20 of that amount is designated for collegiate rodeo programs; purchasers may make additional donations. Lacey Bruckner of the Wyoming Department of Transportation told members the department can administer and produce the plates and make them available by the January 2026 date in the bill.

Committee action

Motion: committee moved Senate File 121 with the amendment; roll call was recorded as nine ayes, zero noes.

Next steps: the bill will continue through the legislative process to the next house or floor consideration with the committee amendment included.","Lawmakers approved Senate File 121 to create a rodeo specialty license plate and added an amendment requiring a $20 donation to university and community college rodeo programs, producing a $50 plate fee; the bill passed committee unanimously.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6691399,"Committee advances Water Development spending bill after overview of projects and account balances",794,93000,887000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2330882-d6690dfda1dff18c294229d94a94560d&start=93&end=887","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2330882-d6690dfda1dff18c294229d94a94560d/thumbnail_93000.jpg","/articles/6691399/Wyoming/Committee-advances-Water-Development-spending-bill-after-overview-of-projects-and-account-balances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6691399-530ca22e466dc1c943fc1fc5fccc1d86/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191056&Signature=ZPrvPRUVd1tsiN-GRy0GPvCwpTAO0yiEzQQPJTRWTKxAVStkaB4NVxjZ1lWla8E5i9HXudLslKGNb4Bqw1nnfp4c5os6zpayr3Wt~7z7c~Qbvz6cWRPIKIq-m-v-HBxClz~55hUi661umekFuTUINEPNNKLTXk6NULqTRNSl2QhmWJHTb8LEit5Hu6B0EM2pEkPmHtNB8cscJ3vkVngAyrtfvxtNwVbRfyDWZH1~ePClAKbDjYoiOMWhLXlwazQ76ErIgeaeMqxBqPByLUiFZ5QJMkm10RmxkS3nulxLCQucWVqsauPHZhKTPZPwQlPNWpXcnRaIk2txMh3gsmaN6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee voted to move Senate File 82 after a presentation from Senator Steinmetz and Jason Mead, director of the Water Development Office.

The bill provides project funding across multiple Water Development accounts. Senator Steinmetz told the committee the measure includes $534,998 from one account for the Hewlett Water Master Plan and the University of Wyoming Water Research Program, about $980,000 for level‑one rehabilitation projects, and $551,000 from a second account for dams and reservoirs. \"So $534,998 out of account 1 for the Hewlett Water Master Plan and the UW Water Research Program,\" Steinmetz said during his overview.

Mead, who the senator invited to answer technical questions, described one highlighted project — the Bridal/Popo Agie River storage study — as a grassroots effort led by local conservation districts, irrigators, Game and Fish, Forest Service and the City of Lander to address low flows and future municipal needs. \"...they have low flows, during irrigation season, which cause water quality issues,\" Mead said, describing the study's purpose.

Public comment and vote

Chris Mickey of the Wyoming Business Alliance testified in support of the bill, telling the committee the group supports well‑vetted projects and urged the committee to move the measure. Following a brief public comment period, a committee member moved the bill; the roll call returned nine ayes and zero no votes. The committee record shows 9 ayes and the chair announced the bill would pass the committee.

Why it matters: the bill funds a set of smaller projects that had been vetted by the Water Development Commission and the Select Water Committee. The presenters said the bill is smaller than in some previous years in part because the Board of Control budget has been removed from Water 1, which reduced available balances.

Technical and funding details

Mead said the Bridal/Popo Agie River storage study is sponsored by local watershed improvement districts and includes multiple stakeholders participating in the Healthy Rivers Initiative. He explained the study will look across a range of options rather than focusing on a single reservoir site.

Committee action

Motion: committee member moved to advance Senate File 82; second recorded and roll call showed nine ayes and no noes. The committee moved the bill forward.

Next steps: with the committee's approval, the bill will proceed through the legislative process. The committee record contains project lists and notebook materials referenced by the presenters for members seeking greater detail.","Senator Steinmetz and Jason Mead of the Water Development Office briefed the Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee on Senate File 82, outlining smaller‑than‑usual project funding and account balances; the committee voted to move the bill 9‑0.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wyoming panel narrows temporary water-use agreements to finite terms; in‑stream flow exclusion debated and rejected

Committee approves specialty rodeo license plate to raise funds for college rodeo programs

Committee advances Water Development spending bill after overview of projects and account balances