Senate committee approves $8 million study of municipal wastewater and stormwater infrastructure

The Wyoming Senate, sitting as the Committee of the Whole on Feb. 19, approved Senate File 69, a four-year waste and stormwater infrastructure study that requires municipal participation and includes an $8 million appropriation to complete the work.

Senator Bonner described the bill as the product of interim work that expands earlier irrigation-focused studies to municipal wastewater and stormwater systems. He said the study is intended to give the legislature and local partners a comprehensive assessment of needs across cities, towns and districts. Senator Bonner said there is an $8,000,000 appropriation anticipated to fund the multi-year study and pilot efforts with a handful of municipalities.

The Appropriations Committee’s standing amendment, read into the record by Senator Grew and explained by Senator Salazar, specified that funding should come from the Strategic Investment Project (SIP) account, and included fallback language that if the SIP account were repealed the appropriation would be made from the general fund. That amendment passed on the floor, and the Committee of the Whole reported Senate File 69 with a due-pass recommendation.

Senator Bonner said the Legislature will need to identify funding sources to support the comprehensive four-year study and highlighted a pilot project underway with roughly six municipalities of varying sizes. The bill requires municipal participation to ensure a full statewide assessment, and sponsors said the study will guide future policy and funding decisions to maintain safe drinking water and wastewater services.

Committee action concluded with the committee recommending the bill be reported to the Senate with a favorable recommendation.