House approves smaller initial appropriation and study language for omnibus water bill, orders third reading

Representative Davis moved and the Wyoming House of Representatives on Feb. 11 adopted multiple amendments to House Bill 117, an omnibus water bill addressing irrigation projects, dam work and related funding, and ordered the bill to be read a third time.

The most consequential change came when Representative Davis successfully moved second-reading Amendment 1 to replace a $20,000,000 appropriation with $5,000,000. The House adopted that amendment on a roll-call vote, 46 ayes, 14 noes and 1 excused. “I think it's prudent that we take a small bite of the apple, see if the water does exist, and if this is something that we could actually look forward to,” Representative Davis said on the floor.

Why it matters: HB117 funds and authorizes near-term water projects and gives the Legislature influence over how state funds will be used for construction and debt assistance. Representatives who pressed for smaller initial funding said they wanted to limit state exposure while testing project feasibility before committing larger sums; opponents warned the smaller figure could slow needed work.

Key changes and debate

- Funding reduction (Amendment 1): The amendment replaced a previously proposed $20 million appropriation with $5 million and passed on the recorded vote described above. Representative Banks asked…