(a) Authorization is granted for the Level III new development construction projects identified in this section subject to the general conditions specified in W.S. 99-3-103, provided that W.S. 99-3-103(a)(iii) shall not apply to the projects identified in this section unless required by W.S. 41-2-121. Source Notes for subsection (a): (Laws 2025, Ch. 111, § 1.)

(b) Project - Big Horn Regional JPB South Transmission Project 2025:

(i) Project sponsor: Big Horn Regional Joint Powers Board;

(ii) Project purpose: Municipal and rural domestic water supply;

(iii) Project description: Design and pre-construction of water transmission pipelines, structures and appurtenances necessary to make the project function in the manner intended;

(iv) Total project budget: Eight hundred ten thousand dollars ($810,000.00);

(v) Project grant: The state of Wyoming shall grant to the sponsor from water development account I through the commission for the design, permit procurement, project land procurement and pre-construction engineering of the project an amount not to exceed four hundred five thousand dollars ($405,000.00) or fifty percent (50%) of these actual development costs, whichever is less;

(vi) Appropriations: There is appropriated from water development account I to the commission four hundred five thousand dollars ($405,000.00) or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purpose of this subsection. Unexpended funds appropriated under this subsection shall revert to water development account I on July 1, 2030;

(vii) Special conditions: The sponsor is responsible for acquiring fifty percent (50%) of the total project budget

from other sources. Source Notes for subsection (b): (Laws 2025, Ch. 111, § 1.)

(c) Project - Cloud Seeding: Wind River and Sierra Madre mountain ranges 2026 (ground-based):

(i) Project sponsor: The state of Wyoming;

(ii) Project purpose: To enhance the winter snowpack in the Wind River and Sierra Madre mountain ranges;

(iii) Project description: Conduct a ground-based operational winter snowpack augmentation program during the 2025-2026 season;

(iv) Total project budget: Eight hundred sixty-two thousand one hundred forty-three dollars ($862,143.00);

(v) Special conditions: Prior to commencing project operations, the Wyoming water development office shall acquire funding commitments from other Colorado River basin water users or other interested parties for a minimum of one hundred percent (100%) of actual project operations costs. Source Notes for subsection (c): (Laws 2025, Ch. 111, § 1.)

(d) Project - Hoback Junction Public Water System 2025:

(i) Project sponsor: Hoback Junction Water and Sewer District;

(ii) Project purpose: Rural domestic water supply;

(iii) Project description: Design, pre-construction and construction of a diversion structure, pumping facilities, water transmission pipelines, tank, structures and appurtenances necessary to make the project function in the manner intended;

(iv) Total project budget: Two million four hundred ninety-seven thousand dollars ($2,497,000.00);

(v) Project grant: The state of Wyoming shall grant to the sponsor from water development account I through the commission for the design, permit procurement, project land procurement, pre-construction, construction engineering and construction of the project an amount not to exceed one million two hundred forty-eight thousand five hundred dollars

($1,248,500.00) or fifty percent (50%) of these actual development costs, whichever is less;

(vi) Appropriations: There is appropriated from water development account I to the commission one million two hundred forty-eight thousand five hundred dollars ($1,248,500.00) or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purpose of this subsection. Unexpended funds appropriated under this subsection shall revert to water development account I on July 1, 2030;

(vii) Special conditions: The sponsor is responsible for acquiring fifty percent (50%) of the total project budget from other sources. Source Notes for subsection (d): (Laws 2025, Ch. 111, § 1; 2026, Ch. 73, § 2.)

(e) Project - SAWS JPB Upper Road Transmission Main Phase I 2025:

(i) Project sponsor: Sheridan Area Water Supply Joint Powers Board;

(ii) Project purpose: Municipal and rural domestic water supply;

(iii) Project description: Design and construction of water transmission pipelines, structures and appurtenances necessary to make the project function in the manner intended;

(iv) Total project budget: Four million four hundred thirteen thousand five hundred dollars ($4,413,500.00);

(v) Project grant: The state of Wyoming shall grant to the sponsor from water development account I through the commission for the design, permit procurement, project land procurement, construction engineering and construction of the project an amount not to exceed two million two hundred six thousand seven hundred fifty dollars ($2,206,750.00) or fifty percent (50%) of these actual development costs, whichever is less;

(vi) Appropriation: There is appropriated from water development account I to the commission two million two hundred six thousand seven hundred fifty dollars ($2,206,750.00) or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purpose of this subsection. Unexpended funds appropriated under this subsection shall revert to water development account I on July 1, 2030;

(vii) Special conditions: The sponsor is responsible for acquiring fifty percent (50%) of the total project budget from other sources. Source Notes for subsection (e): (Laws 2025, Ch. 111, § 1.)

(f) Project - Small Water Development Projects - New Development 2025:

(i) Project sponsor: Eligible public entities;

(ii) Project purpose: Multi-purpose - agriculture, recreation and environmental;

(iii) Project description: Small dams, windmills, springs, guzzlers and other water collection, storage and drinking systems, pipelines, etc., to impound, develop and convey water for livestock, wildlife, irrigation, environmental and recreational purposes;

(iv) Total project budget: Three million dollars ($3,000,000.00);

(v) Project grant: The state of Wyoming shall grant to sponsors of small water development projects from water development account I through the commission for the design, permit procurement, project land procurement, construction engineering and construction of the project a total amount not to exceed one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000.00) or fifty percent (50%) of the actual development costs of the small water development projects, whichever is less;

(vi) Appropriation: There is appropriated from water development account I to the commission one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000.00) or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purpose of this subsection. Unexpended funds appropriated under this subsection shall revert to water development account I on July 1, 2030;

(vii) Definition: 'Small water development project' means a project where the maximum financial contribution from the commission is thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000.00) or less;

(viii) Special conditions:

(A) The commission may grant a sponsor fifty percent (50%) of the design, permit procurement, project land procurement, construction engineering and construction cost of a small project. No grant shall be more than thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000.00);

(B) The small water development project sponsors shall substantiate the public benefit that will be derived from proposed small water development projects;

(C) The commission may make monthly progress payments for no more than fifty percent (50%) of eligible monthly project expenses;

(D) An appropriate land management or resource management entity shall certify that the proposed small water development project will meet expectations and that appropriate engineering standards, as approved by the commission, will be adhered to;

(E) The establishment of criteria and administrative procedures for the development of small water development projects under this subsection and decisions of the commission relating to the recommendations, prioritization or disqualification of small water development projects are specifically exempt from the provisions of the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act including judicial review under W.S. 16-3-114 and 16-3-115;

(F) W.S. 16-6-116 shall not apply to a small water development project unless the project sponsor determines the small water development project meets the definition of a 'public work' as defined in W.S. 16-6-101(a)(ix). Source Notes for subsection (f): (Laws 2025, Ch. 111, § 1.)