Wyoming2026Did Not Pass

HB0116

Water Destruction Not Considered Beneficial Use

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 2:25 AM

In one sentence

The bill specifies that separating water molecules to produce hydrogen for industrial purposes does not count as a beneficial use of water and sets rules for rejecting applications related to such uses.

What it does

Defines the separation of water into hydrogen and oxygen atoms for industrial hydrogen production as non-beneficial use.
Requires state officials to reject new permit applications or changes in existing permits that involve destroying water molecules for hydrogen production if the source has been subject to priority regulation within the previous ten years.
Allows exceptions for by-product water under specific conditions.
Specifies that this rule applies only to new applications filed on or after July 1, 2026.

Who it affects

People and companies applying for water permits or changes in water use if the source has been subject to priority regulation within the previous ten years.
State officials responsible for reviewing and approving water permit applications.

Limits and unknowns

The bill did not pass in the current session.
It does not apply to existing permits unless they explicitly allowed such use before July 1, 2026.
Details about how this will be enforced and monitored are not provided.

Plain language

Terms to know

Beneficial Use: A legal term that refers to the proper, lawful, and efficient use of water resources.

Official record

Sources

Source attached

Official bill page Introduced text Official digest Current bill text Stored full record

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 6, 12:53 AM

Tomi Strock

R · H06

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker argues that the bill protects Wyoming's water doctrine by establishing a clear rule against permanent consumption where industrial processes destroy water molecules, noting that alternative energy pathways exist that do not require sacrificing water.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:29:18 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

5 roll calls

H 3rd Reading:Passed 44-17-1-0-02026-02-21 · House44 yes 17 no

Yes: 44
No: 17
Absent: 0
Excused: 1
Conflict: 0

H05 - Agriculture:Recommend Do Pass 8-1-0-0-02026-02-18 · House8 yes 1 no

Yes: 8
No: 1
Absent: 0
Excused: 0
Conflict: 0

Yes 8

Bob DavisR · H47 Dalton BanksR · H26 John WinterR · H28 Justin FornstromR · H10 Mike SchmidR · H20 Pepper OttmanR · H34 Steve JohnsonR · H08 Tomi StrockR · H06

No 1

Karlee ProvenzaD · H45

H Introduced and Referred to H05 - Agriculture Passed by Roll Call 47-12-3-0-02026-02-13 · House47 yes 12 no

Yes: 47
No: 12
Absent: 0
Excused: 3
Conflict: 0

Yes 47

Abby AngelosR · H03 Andrew ByronR · H22 Ann LucasR · H43 Art WashutR · H36 Bill AllemandR · H58 Bob DavisR · H47 Chip NeimanR · H01 Christopher KnappR · H53 Clarence StyvarR · H12 Dalton BanksR · H26 Darin McCannR · H48 Elissa CampbellR · H56 Gary BrownR · H41 J.R. RigginsR · H59 Jacob WasserburgerR · H11 Jayme LienR · H38 Jeremy HaroldsonR · H04 Joe WebbR · H19 Joel GuggenmosR · H55 John BearR · H31 John WinterR · H28 Julie JarvisR · H57 Ken CloustonR · H32 Ken PendergraftR · H29 Kevin CampbellR · H62 Landon BrownR · H09 Laurie BrattenR · H51 Lee FilerR · H44 Marilyn ConnollyR · H40 Marlene BradyR · H60 Martha LawleyR · H27 McKay EricksonR · H21 Mike SchmidR · H20 Nina WebberR · H24 Ocean AndrewR · H46 Pam ThayerR · H15 Paul HoeftR · H25 Pepper OttmanR · H34 Rachel Rodriguez-WilliamsR · H50 Reuben TarverR · H52 Rob GeringerR · H42 Robert WharffR · H49 Scott HeinerR · H18 Scott SmithR · H05 Steve JohnsonR · H08 Tomi StrockR · H06 Tony LockeR · H35

No 12

Bob NicholasR · H07 Cody WylieR · H39 Daniel SinghR · H61 Ivan PoseyD · H33 J.T. LarsonR · H17 JD WilliamsR · H02 Justin FornstromR · H10 Karlee ProvenzaD · H45 Ken ChestekD · H13 Lloyd LarsenR · H54 Mike YinD · H16 Trey SherwoodD · H14

Excused 3

Liz StorerD · H23 Steve HarshmanR · H37 Tom KellyR · H30

H Pursuant to HR 12-11 (a) Passed by Roll Call 45-14-3-0-02026-02-13 · House45 yes 14 no

Yes: 45
No: 14
Absent: 0
Excused: 3
Conflict: 0

Yes 45

Abby AngelosR · H03 Andrew ByronR · H22 Ann LucasR · H43 Bill AllemandR · H58 Bob DavisR · H47 Chip NeimanR · H01 Christopher KnappR · H53 Clarence StyvarR · H12 Dalton BanksR · H26 Daniel SinghR · H61 Darin McCannR · H48 Elissa CampbellR · H56 Gary BrownR · H41 J.R. RigginsR · H59 Jacob WasserburgerR · H11 Jayme LienR · H38 Jeremy HaroldsonR · H04 Joe WebbR · H19 Joel GuggenmosR · H55 John BearR · H31 John WinterR · H28 Julie JarvisR · H57 Karlee ProvenzaD · H45 Ken PendergraftR · H29 Kevin CampbellR · H62 Laurie BrattenR · H51 Lee FilerR · H44 Marilyn ConnollyR · H40 Marlene BradyR · H60 Martha LawleyR · H27 McKay EricksonR · H21 Mike SchmidR · H20 Nina WebberR · H24 Ocean AndrewR · H46 Pam ThayerR · H15 Paul HoeftR · H25 Pepper OttmanR · H34 Rachel Rodriguez-WilliamsR · H50 Reuben TarverR · H52 Rob GeringerR · H42 Robert WharffR · H49 Scott SmithR · H05 Steve JohnsonR · H08 Tomi StrockR · H06 Tony LockeR · H35

No 14

Art WashutR · H36 Bob NicholasR · H07 Cody WylieR · H39 Ivan PoseyD · H33 J.T. LarsonR · H17 JD WilliamsR · H02 Justin FornstromR · H10 Ken ChestekD · H13 Ken CloustonR · H32 Landon BrownR · H09 Lloyd LarsenR · H54 Mike YinD · H16 Scott HeinerR · H18 Trey SherwoodD · H14

Excused 3

Liz StorerD · H23 Steve HarshmanR · H37 Tom KellyR · H30

H Failed Introduction 39-21-2-0-02026-02-11 · House39 yes 21 no

Yes: 39
No: 21
Absent: 0
Excused: 2
Conflict: 0

Excused 2

Rob GeringerR · H42 Tom KellyR · H30

Official activity

Bill history

2026-03-04S:Died in Committee Returned Bill Pursuant to SR 5-4Senate
2026-03-02S No report prior to CoW CutoffSenate
2026-02-23S Introduced and Referred to S09 - MineralsSenate
2026-02-23S Received for IntroductionSenate
2026-02-21H 3rd Reading:Passed 44-17-1-0-0House
2026-02-20H 2nd Reading:PassedHouse
2026-02-19H COW:PassedHouse
2026-02-18H Placed on General FileHouse
2026-02-18H05 - Agriculture:Recommend Do Pass 8-1-0-0-0House
2026-02-13H Introduced and Referred to H05 - Agriculture Passed by Roll Call 47-12-3-0-0House
2026-02-13H Pursuant to HR 12-11 (a) Passed by Roll Call 45-14-3-0-0House
2026-02-11H Failed Introduction 39-21-2-0-0House
2026-02-09H Received for IntroductionHouse
2026-02-06Bill Number AssignedLSO

HB0116

The bill specifies that separating water molecules to produce hydrogen for industrial purposes does not count as a beneficial use of water and sets rules for rejecting applications related to such uses.

What it does

Who it affects

Limits and unknowns

Terms to know

Sources

Why lawmakers voted

Tomi Strock

Recorded votes

Yes 44

No 17

Excused 1

Yes 8

No 1

Yes 47

No 12

Excused 3

Yes 45

No 14

Excused 3

Yes 39

No 21

Excused 2

Bill history