Senate widens scope of state engineer groundwater/surface study, passes SF50
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Summary
Senators adopted an amendment expanding the scope of a state‑engineer water study to assess how existing controls are working, then passed Senate File 50 29–1 with one excused. Supporters said the update is needed after prior controls limited water rights in communities; one senator warned about taxpayer‑funded studies affecting property rights.
A Senate amendment broadened Senate File 50, instructing the state engineer’s study to examine both current controls and future needs for surface and groundwater in Wyoming. Senator Crago sponsored the amendment, arguing the committee and state engineer found the original study scope too narrow; Senator Love, the bill sponsor, supported the clarification.
Opponents raised property‑rights concerns and questioned whether taxpayer‑funded research could be used to restrict water rights. Senator Hyde said he was a committee ‘‘no’’ and expressed concerns about the $250,000 appropriation that was increased to $500,000, suggesting caution about possible property‑rights implications.
The Senate adopted the amendment by voice and later passed the bill on third reading; the roll call showed 29 ayes, 1 no, 1 excused. Supporters said the study is a recommended update to a prior engineer’s study that previously led to controls limiting water rights in affected communities, and that new data will help determine whether controls should be corrected or updated.
The bill requires the state engineer to collect the data needed to assess existing controls and recommend changes. The transcript indicates sponsors expect the work to be conducted under the state engineer’s existing authority; no additional implementation details were specified on the floor.