Select Water Committee votes to sponsor stormwater draft bill (LSO 27-0015) with pledge to keep working group

Following presentations, public testimony and stakeholder exchanges, the committee debated whether to move working draft LSO 27-0015 forward as a committee-sponsored bill. Chair opened floor discussion and a motion to sponsor the draft was made and seconded; members agreed that additional stakeholder meetings and amendments would continue before final session action.

The committee then held a roll-call sponsorship vote. The clerk announced the result as nine 'I' votes, two 'No' votes and one excused. The chair asked Senators Crum and Guerrero and Representative Chastick (sic) to continue leading the working group to address concerns raised in testimony, including clearer limits on the scope of fees, appeal processes, mitigation credits and treatment of governmental entities.

What happened next: sponsors emphasized the draft is a starting place and pledged to convene additional stakeholders (municipalities, University of Wyoming, chambers of commerce and economic development representatives) to produce specific amendments before the formal bill introduction. Committee members said the bill will be taken page-by-page in subsequent meetings to allow insertion of suggested changes.

Why it matters: the committee’s sponsorship moves the draft into the legislative workflow and increases the likelihood that lawmakers will debate and possibly enact a clarified statutory framework governing stormwater rates, credits, appeals and when voter approval is required.