reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 10 - Water and Sewer District Law › Section 41-10-156 - Bonding Authority of City or Town to Acquire District Facilities; Limitations; Administration of Indebtedness.

41-10-156. Bonding authority of city or town to acquire district facilities; limitations; administration of indebtedness.
(a) Any city or town may acquire by purchase, gift or otherwise the plant facility and equipment of such district and incorporate the plant facility and equipment into its municipally owned water works or sewerage system. The city or town may finance the purchase of the plant facility and equipment by issuing its general obligation bonds or other like securities, or revenue bonds or other like securities payable solely from the revenues derived from the operation of the water or sewerage districts. The bonds may be issued in accordance with the provisions of law. The revenues produced by the bonds issued by the city or town shall be placed in escrow and used to retire the obligations of the district in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof.
(b) Upon the acquisition of such territory by the city the existing bonded indebtedness of the district shall remain a superior obligation to any other bonded indebtedness of the city or town, with respect to such land only, and the bonded indebtedness of the district shall in no way affect the bonded indebtedness or limitations on the bonding capacity of the city or town.
(c) When the governing body of the city or town determines to acquire by purchase, gift or otherwise the plant facilities and equipment of a district, it shall adopt an ordinance describing in a general manner the assets of the districts to be acquired, the purchase price thereof, the amount of revenue bonds proposed to be issued, the maturity or maturities, the interest rate and other details in connection with the bonds. The ordinance may provide that the bonds or those specified shall be to the extent and in the manner prescribed in the ordinance subordinated to any other bonds payable from the revenue of the water or sewerage system of the city or town. The ordinance may contain such covenants and restrictions upon the issuance of additional revenue bonds which share equally from the revenues of the system as may be necessary or advisable to assure the payment of the bonds hereby authorized. The ordinance may provide the revenue bonds or any part thereof may be sold to the state of Wyoming or the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof at private sale without advertisement for not less than par and accrued interest. The ordinance may provide that the bonds be redeemable with or without premium at the time or place the governing body provides.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 11 - Interstate Streams Commission › Article 1 - In General › Section 41-11-101 - Duties of Attorney General.

41-11-101. Duties of attorney general.
The attorney general shall be the legal advisor to the commission and it shall be his duty to defend any suit or suits that may be instituted against the state of Wyoming, or against the water users and appropriators from this state, by the United States government, or by any other state, involving the question of priorities and rights of interstate streams; or if advisable to prosecute any suit necessary to properly safeguard the interests of the state or its citizens, in such interstate streams.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 11 - Interstate Streams Commission › Article 2 - Commissioners › Section 41-11-201 - Appointment of Commissioners to Serve on Joint Commission; Ratification of Compacts; Governor May Serve as Commissioner.

41-11-201. Appointment of commissioners to serve on joint commission; ratification of compacts; governor may serve as commissioner.
(a) The governor of the state of Wyoming shall appoint any commissioners necessary to represent Wyoming on any joint commission to be composed of commissioners from Wyoming and one (1) or more adjoining states and an authorized representative of the United States for the purpose of negotiating compacts or agreements between those states, or between those states and the United States, respecting the equitable division, use and distribution of the waters of any interstate stream and its tributaries flowing from or into Wyoming. However, any such compact or agreement so entered into by the specified states, or between those states and the United States, is not binding or obligatory upon any of the compacting parties thereto unless it has been ratified and approved by the legislature of each of the party states and consented to by the congress of the United States.
(b) At his option, the governor may serve as one (1) of the commissioners for Wyoming in negotiating any compact or agreement respecting the equitable division, use and distribution of the waters of any interstate stream and its tributaries flowing from or into Wyoming.
(c) The governor may remove any commissioner he appoints under this section as provided in W.S. 9-1-202.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 11 - Interstate Streams Commission › Article 2 - Commissioners › Section 41-11-202 - Designation of Commissioners to Represent State on All Interstate Compacts; Service of Governor on Compact Commission.

41-11-202. Designation of commissioners to represent state on all interstate compacts; service of governor on compact commission.
The governor of Wyoming shall appoint and designate such commissioners as may be necessary to represent the state of Wyoming on all negotiated interstate compacts, unless the compacts by their terms otherwise provide. The governor of Wyoming, at his option, may serve as a commissioner for Wyoming on any compact commission, if permitted under the terms of the compact. The governor may remove any commissioner he appoints as provided in W.S. 9-1-202.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 11 - Interstate Streams Commission › Article 2 - Commissioners › Section 41-11-203 - Authority of Commissioners; Investigations.

41-11-203. Authority of commissioners; investigations.
Any commissioner appointed to serve under the provisions of any interstate water compact or in the negotiation of an interstate water compact or any other person designated by the governor to do so, shall have full authority to make any and all investigations of such interstate streams and the drainage area thereof which may become necessary in order to sufficiently advise him of the physical conditions obtaining upon such system, and of the present and future needs of the state of Wyoming, and its citizens to the use and benefits of the waters of such stream. To that end the governor or any commissioner or other person designated by the governor to conduct such investigation, shall have authority to administer oaths, examine and require the attendance of witnesses, and to perform such other duties as may be necessary to sufficiently apprise him of the facts and furnish him with adequate information in order that he may properly perform his duties as the representative of the state of Wyoming or to fully inform the designated representative of Wyoming.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 11 - Interstate Streams Commission › Article 2 - Commissioners › Section 41-11-204 - Assistant Commissioners.

41-11-204. Assistant commissioners.
The governor may appoint assistant commissioners to aid and assist him, or any interstate streams commissioner appointed by him, in the negotiations for determination of the equitable division of the waters of all Wyoming interstate streams, to serve only on call of the governor.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 11 - Interstate Streams Commission › Article 2 - Commissioners › Section 41-11-205 - Mileage, per Diem and Compensation for Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners.

41-11-205. Mileage, per diem and compensation for commissioners and assistant commissioners.
Each and every commissioner and assistant commissioner appointed to represent the state of Wyoming on an interstate compact or in the negotiation thereof shall be paid per diem and compensation in the same amount as provided for members of the Wyoming legislature and mileage at the rate set in W.S. 9-3-103 for each mile actually and necessarily traveled in the performance of his duties except state of Wyoming officers and employees shall only be reimbursed for mileage and per diem while away from their regular stations, as in other cases provided. The state engineer is charged with the responsibility for expenditure of such sums as are necessary under this act.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 11 - Interstate Streams Commission › Article 2 - Commissioners › Section 41-11-206 - Depository of Records Relating to Interstate Streams and Water Compacts.

41-11-206. Depository of records relating to interstate streams and water compacts.
The office of the state engineer is hereby designated as the depository of all records, reports and materials relating to interstate streams and water compacts and the activities of all commissioners, administrators and other persons appointed by the governor to conduct investigations of any Wyoming interstate streams or water.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 11 - Interstate Streams Commission › Article 3 - Wyoming Colorado River Advisory Committee › Section 41-11-303 - State Engineer Duties; Dissemination of Information.

41-11-303. State engineer duties; dissemination of information.
(a) The state engineer or the state engineer's designated representative shall provide information and data to the committee regarding potential or existing programs, compact obligations or water administration issues or decisions that may affect the beneficial use, development and conservation of water from the Green and Little Snake rivers and their tributaries.
(b) To safeguard the rights and interests of Wyoming, Wyoming's agencies and Wyoming's residents related to the use of water within Wyoming's portion of the Colorado River Basin, the state engineer shall seek advice from the committee before exercising his authority as may be necessary to comply with Wyoming's obligations under the 1922 Colorado River compact and the 1948 Upper Colorado River Basin compact. Discussions under this subsection shall be held in executive session and are privileged and confidential.
(c) The state engineer shall designate an employee to assist with providing information and data to the committee and to act as a liaison between the state engineer and water users in Wyoming's portion of the Colorado River basin.
(d) Each member of the committee may disseminate information and data provided by the state engineer under subsection (a) of this section to interested stakeholders within the sector that the member was appointed to represent.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 11 - Interstate Streams Commission › Article 3 - Wyoming Colorado River Advisory Committee › Section 41-11-304 - Applicability of Public Meetings Act.

41-11-304. Applicability of public meetings act.
The Wyoming Colorado River advisory committee shall not be considered an agency as defined in W.S. 16-4-402(a)(ii) for the purposes of W.S. 16-4-401 through 16-4-408. When practicable, meetings of the committee shall be advertised and open to the public.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 1 - Bear River Compact › Section 41-12-102 - When Binding; Notice of Ratification.

41-12-102. When binding; notice of ratification.
Said compact shall not be binding or obligatory upon any of the high contracting parties thereto unless and until the same shall have been ratified by the legislature of each of the said states and approved by the congress of the United States. The governor of Wyoming shall give notice of the ratification and approval of said compact by the Wyoming legislature to the governors of the states of Idaho and Utah and to the president of the United States.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 2 - Belle Fourche River Compact › Section 41-12-201 - Purpose.

41-12-201. Purpose.
(a) The major purposes of this compact are to provide for the most efficient use of the waters of the Belle Fourche River basin hereinafter referred to as the basin for multiple purposes; to provide for an equitable division of such waters; to remove all causes, present and future, which might lead to controversies; to promote interstate comity; to recognize that the most efficient utilization of the waters within the basin is required for the full development of the basin; and to promote joint action by the states and the United States in the efficient use of water and the control of floods.
(b) The physical and other conditions peculiar to the basin constitute the basis for this compact; and none of the states hereby, nor the congress of the United States by its consent, concedes that this compact establishes any general principle or precedent with respect to any other interstate stream.
(c) Either state and all others using, claiming or in any manner asserting any right to the use of the waters of the Belle Fourche River under the authority of that state, shall be subject to the terms of this compact.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 2 - Belle Fourche River Compact › Section 41-12-202 - Definitions.

41-12-202. Definitions.
(a) As used in this compact:
(i) The term "Belle Fourche River" shall mean and include the Belle Fourche River and all its tributaries originating in Wyoming;
(ii) The term "basin" shall mean that area in South Dakota and Wyoming which is naturally drained by the Belle Fourche River, and all its tributaries;
(iii) The term "beneficial use" is herein defined to be that use by which the water supply of a drainage basin is depleted when usefully employed by the activities of man, and includes water lost by evaporation, and other natural causes from streams, canals, ditches, irrigated areas, and reservoirs;
(iv) Where the name of the state or the term "state" or "states" is used, these shall be construed to include any person or entity of any nature whatsoever using, claiming, or in any manner asserting any right to the use of the waters of the Belle Fourche River under the authority of that state.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 2 - Belle Fourche River Compact › Section 41-12-203 - Administration.

41-12-203. Administration.
(a) It shall be the duty of the two (2) states to administer this compact through the official in each state who is now or may hereafter be charged with the duty of administering the public water supplies, and to collect and correlate through such officials the data necessary for the proper administration of the provisions of this compact. Such officials may, by unanimous action, adopt rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this compact.
(b) The United States geological survey, or whatever federal agency may succeed to the functions and duties of that agency, insofar as this compact is concerned, shall collaborate with the officials of the states charged with the administration of this compact in the execution of the duty of such officials in the collection, correlation, and publication of information necessary for the proper administration of this compact.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 2 - Belle Fourche River Compact › Section 41-12-204 - Water Gauging Stations.

41-12-204. Water gauging stations.
Each state shall itself or in conjunction with other responsible agencies cause to be established, maintained, and operated such suitable water gauging stations as it finds necessary to administer this compact.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 2 - Belle Fourche River Compact › Section 41-12-205 - Allocation of Waters.

41-12-205. Allocation of waters.
(a) Wyoming and South Dakota agree that the unappropriated waters of the Belle Fourche River as of the date of this compact shall be allocated to each state as follows: Ninety percent (90%) to South Dakota Ten percent (10%) to Wyoming; provided, that allocations to Wyoming shall be exclusive of the use of these waters for domestic and stock use, and Wyoming shall be allowed unrestricted use for these purposes, except that no reservoir for such use shall exceed twenty (20) acre-feet in capacity. For storage of its allocated water, Wyoming shall have the privilege of purchasing at cost not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the total storage capacity for any reservoir or reservoirs constructed in Wyoming for irrigation of lands in South Dakota, or may construct reservoirs itself for the purpose of utilizing such water. Either state may temporarily divert, or store for beneficial use, any unused part of the above percentages allotted to the other, but no continuing right shall be established thereby.
(b) Rights to the use of the waters of the Belle Fourche River, whether based on direct diversion or storage, are hereby recognized as of the date of this compact to the extent these rights are valid under the law of the state in which the use is made, and shall remain unimpaired hereby. These rights, together with the additional allocations made under (a) of this section, are agreed to be an equitable apportionment between the states of the waters of the basin.
(c) The waters allocated under subsection (a) of this section and the rights recognized under subsection (b) of this section are hereinafter referred to collectively as the apportioned water. For the purposes of the administration of this compact and determining the apportioned water at any given date within a given calendar year, there shall be taken the sum of:
(i) The quantity of water in acre-feet that passed the Wyoming-South Dakota state line during the period from January 1 of that year to that given date;
(ii) The quantity of water in acre-feet in storage on that date in all reservoirs built in Wyoming on the Belle Fourche River subsequent to the date of this compact.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 2 - Belle Fourche River Compact › Section 41-12-206 - Acquisition of Property in Another State.

41-12-206. Acquisition of property in another state.
Any person, entity, or state shall have the right to acquire necessary property rights in another state by purchase or through the exercise of the power of eminent domain for the construction, operation and maintenance of storage reservoirs and of appurtenant works, canals, and conduits required for the enjoyment of the privileges granted by W.S. 41-12-205 and 41-12-207(a); provided, however, that the grantees of such rights shall pay to the political subdivisions of the state in which such works are located, each and every year during which such rights are enjoyed for such purposes, a sum of money equivalent to the average annual amount of taxes assessed against the lands and improvements thereon during the ten (10) years preceding the use of such lands in reimbursement for the loss of taxes to said political subdivisions of the state.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 2 - Belle Fourche River Compact › Section 41-12-207 - Construction and Use of Dams; Claims for Storage or Diversion; Appropriations.

41-12-207. Construction and use of dams; claims for storage or diversion; appropriations.
(a) Either state shall have the right, by compliance with the laws of the other state, to file applications for and receive permits to construct or participate in the construction and use of any dam, storage reservoir, or diversion works in such state for the purpose of conserving and regulating the apportioned water of the other state; provided, that such right is subject to the rights of the other state to control, regulate, and use water apportioned to it.
(b) Each claim hereafter initiated for storage or diversion of water in one (1) state for use in another state shall be filed in the office of the state engineer of the state in which the water is to be stored or diverted, and a duplicate copy of the application including a map showing the character and location of the proposed facilities and the lands to be irrigated shall be filed in the office of the state engineer of the state in which the water is to be used. If a portion or all the lands proposed to be reclaimed are located in a state other than the one (1) in which the water is to be restored or diverted, then, before approval of the application shall be granted, said application shall be checked against the records of the appropriate office of the state in which the water is to be used, and a notation shall be placed thereon by the officer in charge of such records to the effect that the land description does not indicate a conflict with existing water rights. All endorsements shall be placed on both the original and duplicate copies of all such maps filed to the end that the records in both states may be complete and identical.
(c) Appropriations may hereafter be adjudicated in the state in which the water is stored or diverted, and where a portion or all the lands irrigated are in the other state, such adjudications shall be confirmed in the latter state by the proper authority. Each adjudication is to conform with the laws of the state where the water is stored or diverted and shall be recorded in the county and state where the water is used.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 2 - Belle Fourche River Compact › Section 41-12-208 - Water for Stock Water Use in South Dakota.

41-12-208. Water for stock water use in South Dakota.
In case any reservoir is constructed in Wyoming to be used principally for irrigation of lands in South Dakota, sufficient water not to exceed ten (10) cubic feet per second shall be released at all times for stock water use.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 2 - Belle Fourche River Compact › Section 41-12-210 - Duration of Compact.

41-12-210. Duration of compact.
The provisions of this compact shall remain in full force and effect until amended by action of the legislature of the states and consented to and approved by the congress of the United States in the same manner as this compact is required to be ratified to become effective.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 2 - Belle Fourche River Compact › Section 41-12-211 - Termination of Compact.

41-12-211. Termination of compact.
This compact may be terminated at any time by unanimous consent of the states, and upon such termination, all rights then established hereunder or recognized hereby shall continue to be recognized as valid by the states notwithstanding the termination of the other provisions of the compact.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 2 - Belle Fourche River Compact › Section 41-12-212 - Rights of Action Preserved.

41-12-212. Rights of action preserved.
Nothing in this compact shall be construed to limit or prevent either state from instituting or maintaining any action or proceeding, legal or equitable, in any federal court or the United States supreme court for the protection of any right under this compact or the enforcement of any of its provisions.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 2 - Belle Fourche River Compact › Section 41-12-213 - Application of Compact.

41-12-213. Application of compact.
(a) Nothing in this compact shall be deemed:
(i) To impair or affect any rights or powers of the United States, its agencies, or instrumentalities, in and to the use of the waters of the Belle Fourche River nor its capacity to acquire rights in and to the use of said waters;
(ii) To subject any property of the United States, its agencies, or instrumentalities to taxation by either state or subdivision thereof, or to create an obligation on the part of the United States, its agencies, or instrumentalities, by reason of the acquisition, construction or operation of any property or works of whatsoever kind, to make any payments to any state or political subdivision thereof, state agency, municipality, or entity whatsoever in reimbursement for the loss of taxes;
(iii) To subject any property of the United States, its agencies, or instrumentalities, to the laws of any state to an extent other than the extent to which these laws would apply without regard to the compact.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 2 - Belle Fourche River Compact › Section 41-12-214 - When Compact Becomes Operative.

41-12-214. When compact becomes operative.
(a) This compact shall become operative when approved by the legislature of each of the states, and when consented to by the congress of the United States by legislation providing, among other things, that:
(i) Any beneficial uses hereafter made by the United States, or those acting by or under its authority, within a state, of the waters allocated by this compact, shall be within the allocations hereinabove made for use in that state and shall be taken into account in determining the extent of use within that state;
(ii) The United States, or those acting by or under its authority, in the exercise of rights or powers arising from whatever jurisdiction the United States has in, over and to the waters of the Belle Fourche River and all its tributaries, shall recognize, to the extent consistent with the best utilization of the waters for multiple purposes, that beneficial use of the waters within the basin is of paramount importance to development of the basin, and no exercise of such power or right thereby that would interfere with the full beneficial use of the waters shall be made except upon a determination, giving due consideration to the objectives of this compact and after consultation with all interested federal agencies and the state officials charged with the administration of this compact, that such exercise is in the interest of the best utilization of such waters for multiple purposes;
(iii) The United States, or those acting by or under its authority, will recognize any established use, for domestic and irrigation purposes, of the apportioned waters which may be impaired by the exercise of federal jurisdiction in, over, and to such waters; provided, that such use is being exercised beneficially, is valid under the laws of the appropriate state and in conformity with this compact at the time of the impairment thereof, and was validly initiated under state law prior to the initiation or authorization of the federal program or project which causes such impairment.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 2 - Belle Fourche River Compact › Section 41-12-215 - Severability of Provisions.

41-12-215. Severability of provisions.
Should a court of competent jurisdiction hold any part of this compact to be contrary to the constitution of any state or of the United States, all other severable provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 3 - Colorado River Compact › Section 41-12-302 - When Binding; Notice of Ratification.

41-12-302. When binding; notice of ratification.
The said compact shall not be binding or obligatory upon any of the high contracting parties thereto unless and until the same shall have been ratified by the legislature of each of said states and approved by the congress of the United States, and proclamation thereof shall be made by the president of the United States upon receipt by him, from the governors of all the signatory states, of notice of ratification of such compact by the legislatures thereof. The governor of Wyoming shall give notice of the ratification and approval of said compact by the seventeenth Wyoming legislature to the governors of each of the remaining signatory states and to the president of the United States, in conformity with article XI of said compact.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 4 - Upper Colorado River Basin Compact › Section 41-12-402 - When Binding; Notice of Ratification.

41-12-402. When binding; notice of ratification.
Said compact shall not be binding or obligatory upon any of the high contracting parties thereto unless and until the same shall have been ratified by the legislature of each of the said states and approved by the congress of the United States. The governor of Wyoming shall give notice of the ratification and approval of said compact by the thirtieth Wyoming legislature to the governors of the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah, and to the president of the United States.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 5 - Snake River Compact › Section 41-12-502 - When Binding; Notice of Ratification.

41-12-502. When binding; notice of ratification.
Said compact shall not be operative unless and until the same shall have been ratified by the legislature of each of the said states and approved by the congress of the United States. The governor of Wyoming shall give notice of the ratification and approval of said compact by the thirtieth Wyoming legislature to the governor of the state of Idaho and to the president of the United States.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 6 - Yellowstone River Compact › Section 41-12-602 - When Binding; Notice of Ratification.

41-12-602. When binding; notice of ratification.
Said compact shall not be binding or obligatory upon any of the high contracting parties thereto unless and until the same shall have been ratified by the legislature of each of the said states and approved by the congress of the United States. The governor of Wyoming shall give notice of the ratification and approval of said compact by the Wyoming legislature to the governors of the states of Montana and North Dakota and to the president of the United States.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 6 - Yellowstone River Compact › Section 41-12-603 - Diversions From the Yellowstone River Basin; Definitions.

41-12-603. Diversions from the Yellowstone River Basin; definitions.
(a) Unless the context requires otherwise, in W.S. 41-12-603 through 41-12-607 the following definitions apply:
(i) "Basin" means the Yellowstone River Basin as defined in the Yellowstone River Compact, W.S. 41-12-601;
(ii) "Compact" means the Yellowstone River Compact provided for in W.S. 41-12-601;
(iii) "Compact water" means any water in the basin that is allocated to Wyoming, Montana or North Dakota by the terms of the compact or whose appropriation is in any manner regulated by the terms of the compact.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 6 - Yellowstone River Compact › Section 41-12-604 - Diversions From the Yellowstone River Basin; Authority to Approve.

41-12-604. Diversions from the Yellowstone River Basin; authority to approve.
The state engineer may consent on behalf of the state of Wyoming to diversions of water from the basin pursuant to Article X of the compact, including diversions of water allocated under the terms of the compact to the other signatory states of Montana and North Dakota.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 6 - Yellowstone River Compact › Section 41-12-605 - Diversions From the Yellowstone River Basin; Application; Notice.

41-12-605. Diversions from the Yellowstone River Basin; application; notice.
(a) Any person proposing to divert compact water allocated to Wyoming from the basin for use in Wyoming, whether the point of diversion is in Wyoming, Montana or North Dakota, shall file an application with the state engineer. The application must state the name and address of the applicant, describe the proposed point of diversion, the point of use, the ultimate use and facts tending to show that:
(i) The diversion and ultimate use of the water is for a beneficial use of water;
(ii) The diversion and ultimate use of water will not adversely affect the water rights of other persons;
(iii) The proposed means of diversion, construction and operation are adequate;
(iv) The diversion and ultimate use will not interfere with other planned uses or developments for which a water right with a senior priority date has been applied for or permit issued;
(v) The diversion and ultimate use of the water will not exceed the allocated share under the compact of any of the signatory states;
(vi) The diversion and ultimate use of the water are in the public interest of Wyoming; and
(vii) The applicant intends to comply with the laws of the signatory states to the compact.
(b) Any person proposing to divert compact water allocated to Montana or North Dakota for use out of the basin, whether the point of diversion is in Wyoming, Montana or North Dakota, shall file an application with the state engineer. The application must state the name and address of the applicant, describe the proposed point of diversion, the point of use, the ultimate use and facts tending to show that:
(i) The proposed means of diversion, construction and operation are adequate;
(ii) The diversion and ultimate use of the water will not exceed the allocated share under the compact of any of the signatory states; and
(iii) The applicant intends to comply with the compact.
(c) The state engineer shall publish a reasonable summary of the application for three (3) consecutive weeks in at least three (3) newspapers of general circulation within the state and if the proposed point of diversion is within Wyoming, publish the notice in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation in the county where the diversion point is to be located.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 6 - Yellowstone River Compact › Section 41-12-606 - Diversions From the Yellowstone River Basin; Objections; Public Hearing.

41-12-606. Diversions from the Yellowstone River Basin; objections; public hearing.
(a) An objection to an application must be filed with the state engineer by the date specified in the published notice.
(b) The objector to an application shall state his name and address and any facts tending to show how the objector will be affected by the application.
(c) If the state engineer receives a valid objection to an application, the state engineer shall hold a public hearing within sixty (60) days from the date set by the state engineer for filing objections. Service of the notice of the hearing must be made by certified mail upon the applicant and the objector.
(d) Cost of the public hearing shall be borne by the applicant only in those cases of an application made pursuant to W.S. 41-12-605(a).
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 6 - Yellowstone River Compact › Section 41-12-607 - Diversions From the Yellowstone River Basin; Criteria for Approval; Terms.

41-12-607. Diversions from the Yellowstone River Basin; criteria for approval; terms.
(a) The state engineer may conduct whatever other studies he deems necessary to adequately evaluate an application.
(b) The state engineer may issue his approval of an application proposing to divert compact water allocated to Wyoming if:
(i) The diversion and the ultimate use of the water are for a beneficial use of water;
(ii) The diversion and ultimate use of water will not adversely affect the water rights of other persons;
(iii) The proposed means of diversion, construction and operation are adequate;
(iv) The diversion and ultimate use will not interfere unreasonably with other planned uses or developments for which a water right application has been filed or a permit issued;
(v) The diversion and ultimate use of the water will not exceed the allocated share under the compact of any of the signatory states;
(vi) The diversion and ultimate use of the water are in the public interest of Wyoming; and
(vii) The applicant signs an agreement to comply with the laws of the signatory states to the compact in construction, operation and maintaining all facilities associated with the diversion and ultimate use of the water.
(c) The state engineer may approve an application proposing to divert compact water allocated to Montana or North Dakota as described in W.S. 41-12-605(b) if the diversion will not adversely affect the property rights or interests of an appropriator located in Wyoming and if the diversion and ultimate use of water will not exceed the allocated share under the compact of any of the signatory states.
(d) The state engineer may approve an application subject to such terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations as the state engineer considers necessary to meet the application criteria listed in W.S. 41-12-605 and this section.
(e) The state engineer's approval of an application pursuant to this act shall not constitute approval for an out of state use of the water pursuant to W.S. 41-3-115.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 7 - Upper Niobrara River Compact › Section 41-12-702 - When Binding; Notice of Ratification.

41-12-702. When binding; notice of ratification.
The said compact shall not be binding or obligatory upon the state of Wyoming or any of the other high contracting parties thereto unless or until the same shall have been ratified by the legislature of Nebraska, and consented to by the congress of the United States. The governor of Wyoming shall give notice of the ratification and approval of said compact by the Wyoming legislature to the governor of Nebraska and to the president of the United States.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 12 - Interstate Compacts › Article 8 - Water Development Studies › Section 41-12-801 - Studies Authorized for Waters Allocated by Certain Compacts.

41-12-801. Studies authorized for waters allocated by certain compacts.
In order to more fully utilize the waters allocated to the state of Wyoming by the Yellowstone River Compact (W.S. 41-12-601), the Colorado River Compact (W.S. 41-12-301), and the Upper Colorado River Compact (W.S. 41-12-401), the state engineer is hereby directed to initiate studies to plan the development of these waters, including, but not limited to, transbasin diversions within the state wherever shown feasible as projects of the state of Wyoming. Such studies shall show the diligent intent of the state to fully utilize all of Wyoming's compact share of the Big Horn River and its tributaries, the Green River and its tributaries, and other tributaries of the Colorado River within the boundaries of the state of Wyoming.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 13 - Watercraft › Article 1 - Registration; Accidents › Section 41-13-101 - Definitions; Classification of Motorboats.

41-13-101. Definitions; classification of motorboats.
(a) As used in this act:
(i) "Commission" means the Wyoming game and fish commission;
(ii) "Department" means the Wyoming game and fish department;
(iii) "Motorboat" means any watercraft propelled in any respect by propulsion machinery powered by an energy source other than human effort;
(iv) "Operate" means to navigate or otherwise use a watercraft;
(v) "Owner" means a person having the property in or title to a motorboat excluding a lienholder or a lessee under a lease not intended as security;
(vi) "Safety equipment" includes personal flotation devices, towing and bailing devices, paddles, fire extinguishers and navigation lights, backfire flame arresters, whistles or other sound producing devices and ventilation systems;
(vii) "Watercraft" means any contrivance used or designed primarily for navigation on water;
(viii) "Waters of this state" means any waters within the jurisdiction of Wyoming;
(ix) "This act" means W.S. 41-13-101 through 41-13-220.
(b) Motorboats subject to the provisions of this act shall be divided into four (4) classes as follows:
(i) Class A. Less than sixteen (16) feet in length;
(ii) Class B. Sixteen (16) feet or over and less than twenty-six (26) feet in length;
(iii) Class C. Twenty-six (26) feet or over and less than forty (40) feet in length;
(iv) Class D. Forty (40) feet or over.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 13 - Watercraft › Article 1 - Registration; Accidents › Section 41-13-102 - Motorboat Certificate of Number Required.

41-13-102. Motorboat certificate of number required.
(a) Except as provided by W.S. 41-13-103, all motorboats powered by propulsion machinery of any type and operated on the waters of this state shall be numbered.
(b) No person shall operate nor shall the owner permit the operation of any motorboat unless:
(i) The motorboat is numbered in accordance with this act, applicable federal law or a federally approved numbering system of another state;
(ii) The certificate of number issued for the motorboat is in full force and effect; and
(iii) The identifying number set forth in the certificate of number is displayed on each side of the bow of the motorboat.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 13 - Watercraft › Article 1 - Registration; Accidents › Section 41-13-103 - Motorboats to Be Numbered; Exempt Motorboats.

41-13-103. Motorboats to be numbered; exempt motorboats.
(a) A motorboat shall not be required to be numbered under this act if it is:
(i) Already covered by a number in full force and effect which has been awarded to it pursuant to federal law or a federally approved numbering system of another state. Provided, that such boat shall not have been within this state for a period in excess of ninety (90) consecutive days;
(ii) Presently numbered under the rules of the department until the present registration expires and provided further, that present coast guard numbers shall be specifically recognized for their duration or until the certificate expires, whichever is first;
(iii) A motorboat whose owner is the United States, a state or a subdivision thereof, but such ownership must be visibly evident;
(iv) A motorboat belonging to a class of boats which has been exempted from numbering by the department after said agency has found that the numbering of motorboats of such class will not materially aid in their identification; and, if an agency of the federal government has a numbering system applicable to the class of motorboats to which the motorboat in question belongs, after the department has further found that the motorboat would also be exempt from numbering if it were subject to the federal law.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 13 - Watercraft › Article 1 - Registration; Accidents › Section 41-13-106 - Accident Report Information to Federal Government.

41-13-106. Accident report information to federal government.
Upon the request of an authorized official or agency of the United States, any information compiled or otherwise available to the department pursuant to W.S. 41-13-105 shall be transmitted to the requesting official or agency.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 13 - Watercraft › Article 1 - Registration; Accidents › Section 41-13-107 - Political Subdivisions Not to Number Watercraft.

41-13-107. Political subdivisions not to number watercraft.
This act governs the numbering and registration of watercraft on the waters of this state. All other political subdivisions of this state are expressly prohibited from numbering watercraft in any respect.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 13 - Watercraft › Article 1 - Registration; Accidents › Section 41-13-108 - Publication and Distribution of Regulations.

41-13-108. Publication and distribution of regulations.
A copy of the regulations adopted pursuant to this act, and of any amendments thereto, shall be published by the department in a convenient form and a copy shall be distributed with each registration.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 13 - Watercraft › Article 1 - Registration; Accidents › Section 41-13-109 - Motorboat Registration Fee.

41-13-109. Motorboat registration fee.
(a) The nonrefundable and nontransferable registration fee for motorboats is:
(i) Thirty dollars ($30.00) for one (1) year; or
(ii) Eighty dollars ($80.00) for three (3) years.
(b) In addition to the fee under subsection (a) of this section, persons registering a motorboat in Wyoming may pay a voluntary fee of two dollars ($2.00) or any greater amount to fund search and rescue activities. Motorboat registration forms shall contain information about the voluntary fee under this subsection.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 13 - Watercraft › Article 1 - Registration; Accidents › Section 41-13-110 - Disposition of Registration Fees.

41-13-110. Disposition of registration fees.
(a) Except as provided under subsection (b) of this section, all registration fees received under this act shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the game and fish fund to be used for administration and enforcement of this act. The department may receive funds and property under federal assistance programs. Any monies in excess of administration and enforcement expenses shall be used to promote boating safety, boating safety education and for the construction of boating facilities for the general public.
(b) All voluntary fees received under W.S. 41-13-109(b) shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the search and rescue account created by W.S. 19-13-301(a).
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 13 - Watercraft › Article 1 - Registration; Accidents › Section 41-13-111 - Prohibited Acts; Penalties.

41-13-111. Prohibited acts; penalties.
(a) No person shall intentionally or knowingly deface, alter, remove or destroy a vessel hull identification number (HIN) or an engine or outboard motor serial number.
(b) No person shall intentionally or knowingly provide false information in a report required pursuant to W.S. 41-13-105(c).
(c) Any person who fails to register and affix an assigned registration number to a motorboat as required by this act, operates an unregistered or unnumbered motorboat unless authorized by this act or fails to report a watercraft accident as required by W.S. 41-13-105 is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each violation.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 13 - Watercraft › Article 2 - Operation; Equipment › Section 41-13-202 - Provisions Applicable to All Watercraft in State; Supplemental to Federal Laws and Regulations.

41-13-202. Provisions applicable to all watercraft in state; supplemental to federal laws and regulations.
The provisions of this act shall be applicable to all watercraft operating on all of the waterways of this state. The provisions of this act shall be construed to supplement federal laws and regulations when not expressly inconsistent therewith on all waterways where such federal laws and regulations are applicable.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 13 - Watercraft › Article 2 - Operation; Equipment › Section 41-13-203 - Careless Operation Defined.

41-13-203. Careless operation defined.
Any person who operates any watercraft in a careless or heedless manner so as to be indifferent to the person or property of another person, or at a rate of speed greater than will permit him in the exercise of reasonable care to bring the watercraft to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead, is guilty of the crime of careless operation.
2023 Wyoming Statutes › Title 41 - Water › Chapter 13 - Watercraft › Article 2 - Operation; Equipment › Section 41-13-204 - Reckless Operation Defined.

41-13-204. Reckless operation defined.
Any person who shall operate any watercraft in such a manner as to endanger the life or limb, or damage the property of, another person, shall be guilty of the crime of reckless operation.