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SF0126

Wyoming Water Quality Standards and Water Rights

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This law clarifies that valid water rights are not overridden by environmental rules and requires the state to create new water quality standards when water diversions prevent meeting current standards.

What it does

  • States that the Environmental Quality Act does not cancel or override valid water rights.
  • Recognizes that diverting water using a valid water right is an allowed practice.
  • Requires the Water Quality Division administrator to develop new standards for surface waters if water rights prevent meeting existing standards.
  • Requires the administrator to prepare a schedule for new standards based on a use attainability analysis for waters affected by dams or diversions.

Who it affects

  • The administrator of the Wyoming Water Quality Division.
  • Holders of valid water rights in Wyoming.
  • Entities involved in water diversions or hydrologic modifications.

Limits and unknowns

  • The law does not specify the exact timeline for developing the new water quality standards, only that a schedule must be prepared.
  • The source does not define the specific criteria for when a water right is considered 'valid' under this section.

Plain language

Terms to know

Valid water right
A legal permission to use water that is protected from being overridden by this act.
Hydrologic modification
Changes to how water flows, such as building dams or diverting water.
Use attainability analysis
A study required to determine if it is possible to meet water quality goals for specific waters.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Read the official summary

Summary for LSO115 Bill No.: SF0126 Effective : 3/9/2015 LSO No.: 15LSO-0385 Enrolled Act No.: SEA 75 Chapter No.: 173 Prime Sponsor: Hicks Catch Title: Water quality. Subject: Water quality issues related to diversion of water. Summary/Major Elements: Existing law specifies water quality standards for the purposes of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act. This bill provides the provisions of the E nvironmental Q uality A ct shall not be interpreted to supersede or abrogate a valid water right. The bill provides it is recognized that a diversion of water caused by the exercise of a valid water right is an allowable practice. The bill requires the administrator of the W ater Q uality D ivision to develop water quality standards where the exercise of valid water rights or the diversion or hydrologic modification precludes attainment of any existing water quality standard. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 7, 4:10 AM

Couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

5 roll calls

S Concur:Passed 27-2-1-0-02015-03-04 · Senate27 yes 2 no
H 3rd Reading:Passed 57-2-1-0-02015-03-04 · House57 yes 2 no
Agriculture:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-02015-02-24 · House9 yes 0 no
S 3rd Reading:Passed 27-1-2-0-02015-02-04 · Senate27 yes 1 no
Agriculture:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02015-01-30 · Senate5 yes 0 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Assigned Chapter NumberLSO
  2. Governor Signed SEA No. 0075 Governor
  3. H Speaker Signed SEA No. 0075House
  4. S President Signed SEA No. 0075Senate
  5. Assigned Number SEA No. 0075LSO
  6. S Concur:Passed 27-2-1-0-0Senate
  7. S Received for ConcurrenceSenate
  8. H 3rd Reading:Passed 57-2-1-0-0House
  9. H 2nd Reading:PassedHouse
  10. H COW:PassedHouse
  11. Amendment AdoptedHouse
  12. H Placed on General FileHouse
  13. Agriculture:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0House
  14. H Introduced and Referred to H05 - AgricultureHouse
  15. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  16. S 3rd Reading:Passed 27-1-2-0-0Senate
  17. S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
  18. S COW:PassedSenate
  19. Amendment AdoptedSenate
  20. S Placed on General FileSenate

Changes

Amendments

2 stored

SF0126HS001

Adopted Standing Committee by HAgriculture

SF0126SS001

Adopted Standing Committee by SAgriculture