SF 50 Wyoming House · 2026 Regular Session

State engineer-surface and ground water study.

This bill requires Wyoming's state engineer to conduct groundwater studies every decade in counties with designated groundwater control areas. The studies must assess water usage, determine necessary controls to replenish underground water systems, and may include mapping or test wells. Results must be publicly shared and reported to a legislative committee within 15 days of completion. The state engineer's office is allocated $250,000 specifically for this study, which must be finished by June 30, 2028.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Feb 10, 2026 Signed Mar 6, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 6, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand the groundwater study requirements and increase funding. The study is now required only in counties with active corrective controls, and the deadline was extended from 2028 to 2030. Funding was increased from $250,000 to $500,000, and the study scope was broadened to include aquifer recharge assessment and future development impact analysis.

Scope change

The study's applicability was narrowed to counties with active corrective controls, and the scope was expanded to include recharge assessment and future development impact analysis.

TIMELINE

The deadline for completing the initial groundwater study was extended from June 30, 2028, to June 30, 2030.

FISCAL

The appropriation for the groundwater study was increased from $250,000 to $500,000.

SCOPE

The study is now required only in counties where the state engineer has ordered one or more corrective controls, rather than all counties with designated control areas.

The study requirements were expanded to assess the effect of corrective controls, aquifer recharge compared to water consumption, and the impact of future development.

REQUIREMENT

The state engineer is now authorized to conduct studies in counties without a control area if deemed necessary, and the study may include mapping, modeling, and drilling of monitoring wells.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 23, 2026 · House Mar 4, 2026

How they voted

29–1

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 31

Feb 23, 2026

D Democratic2

2 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican29

27 Yea 1 Nay 1

93% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 6, 2026

Signed into law

Governor Signed SEA No. 0047

legislature

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

H 3rd Reading:Passed 60-0-2-0-0

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

H COW:Passed

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 5-2-0-0-0

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

:Rerefer to H02 - Appropriations

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

H05 - Agriculture:Recommend Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Introduced

H Introduced and Referred to H05 - Agriculture

lower

Feb 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

S 3rd Reading:Passed 29-1-1-0-0

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

S COW:Passed

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Recalled from Committee Pursuant to Senate Rule 5-5: 29-2-0-0-0

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Committee

:Rerefer to S02 - Appropriations

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

S05 - Agriculture:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 4-1-0-0-0

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Introduced

S Introduced and Referred to S05 - Agriculture 25-5-1-0-0

upper

1 primary · 11 co-sponsors