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 whether numbers had been analyzed before the change; Davis replied the reduction related to the construction season and a desire to “take a small bite” first and return if further funding is justified.

- Well exploration and loan split (Amendment 2): Representative Yen offered and the House adopted an amendment that split funding into a $1,000,000 exploration pool for wells and a $19,000,000 2% loan program available to irrigation districts. Yen described the approach as opening “doors for everybody” and giving districts flexibility to pursue wells, surface water or other options.

- Time extension for two tribal projects (Amendment 3): Representative Posey moved an amendment to extend deadlines for two water system projects (the Arapahoe pipeline and a water tank project) so grants tied to those projects would not revert before final closeout. Posey said because the Wyoming Water Development Commission grant funds revert on July 1, 2025, and the projects likely would close out after that date, the amendment extended the reversion deadline to July 1, 2026. The House adopted the amendment. Posey cited complex right-of-way issues on tribal trust lands — including fractionated ownership that can produce dozens or hundreds of owners for small parcels — as the reason for delay.

- Study and liability language (Amendment 4, divided): Representative Harshman brought a floor amendment that would add study language on potential recreation, hydroelectric generation, ownership and public access related to the proposed dam project. Representative Strauch asked that the amendment be divided. Division 1 (lines 8–11 in the amendment), which would require that a new dam be constructed before decommissioning the existing dam, was adopted. Division 2, which would have added broader study requirements (including studying recreation and hydroelectric potential and consideration of public access), was defeated on a roll call vote.

During debate, some members emphasized protecting irrigation as the bill’s primary purpose; Representative Harshman said the amendment’s intent was to study added public benefits without jeopardizing irrigation. Representative Geringer encouraged pursuing multiuse opportunities where feasible but urged language that would not delay construction timelines. Representative Strauch and others noted that water scarcity in Wyoming sometimes means reservoirs are low by midsummer, and that construction timing could mitigate some safety concerns.

Implementation details and next steps

- The House sent HB117 to third reading after the amendments were adopted and the divisions resolved. The amendment text and the recorded vote on Amendment 1 (46–14–1) will be part of the bill packet when the body takes third reading and a final passage vote.

- The Senate-file and water-development oversight referenced during debate include the Wyoming Water Development Commission and its grant reversion schedule; Representative Posey cited the commission’s grant reversion date of July 1, 2025 as the immediate reason for the time-extension amendment.

Quotes

“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 explaining the rationale behind the reduced initial appropriation.

“This is just gonna open up some doors for everybody,” Representative Strauch said after backing an amendment designed to broaden options for irrigation districts.

“We need [a time extension] to ensure funds are available to complete these projects,” Representative Posey said of the Northern Arapaho-related pipeline and tank projects, asking the House to extend grant reversion to July 1, 2026.

Ending

The House will consider HB117 on third reading with the adopted amendments and the recorded vote on Amendment 1 included in the bill record. If passed on third reading, the bill will proceed through the standard enrollment and transmittal process.