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Wyoming2009Enacted

HB0239

Wyoming Big Horn Basin Nature and Discovery Center

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This law provides $100,000 for planning a nature and discovery center near Hot Springs State Park, requiring a lease agreement and a report to the legislature.

What it does

  • Provides $100,000 from the state budget reserve account for project planning.
  • Requires Hot Springs County and the town of Thermopolis to create a joint powers board.
  • Requires the board to sign a lease with the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources before spending money.
  • Limits the use of funds to planning, investigating economic viability, and finding funding options for the center.
  • Requires the board to report on planning and funding options to two legislative committees by December 1, 2009.
  • Returns any unused funds to the state budget reserve account on June 30, 2010.

Who it affects

  • Hot Springs County
  • The town of Thermopolis
  • The Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources
  • The State Loan and Investment Board

Limits and unknowns

  • The law does not provide funds for the actual construction of the center, only for planning.
  • The law does not specify the exact size or features of the discovery center.
  • The law does not state how the center will be funded after the initial planning phase.

Plain language

Terms to know

Joint Powers Board
A group formed by two local governments to work together on a specific project.
Budget Reserve Account
A state fund used for specific spending or emergencies.
Lapse
When unused money returns to the state's budget reserve account.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Read the official summary

Bill No.: <billno> Drafter: <drafterinit> Bill No.: HB0239 Drafter: LGC LSO No.: 09LSO-0320 Effective Date: 7/1/2009 Enrolled Act No.: HEA0116 Chapter No.: 203 Prime Sponsor: Representative Quarberg Catch Title: Big Horn basin discovery center. Subject: Appropriation for Big Horn basin discovery center. Summary/Major Elements: The act provides an appropriation to a joint powers board created by Hot Springs County and the town of Thermopolis for funding project planning and investigating the economic viability and funding options for a discovery center to be located on state park land near the entrance to Hot Springs state park. The act limits expenditure of funds appropriated until the joint powers board is created and it has entered into a lease agreement with the department of state parks and cultural resources. Comments: Report Required: The joint powers board must report to the joint travel, recreation, wildlife and cultural resources interim committee and the joint minerals, business and economic development interim committee by December 1, 2009. Note: Final action on this bill was not taken at the time this summary was prepared. Should changes be made to the bill upon final passage, an updated summary will be transmitted to all legislators.

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 8, 6:50 AM

Couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

7 roll calls

H Did Concur 59-0-1-0-02009-03-04 · House59 yes 0 no
S Passed 3rd Reading 21-9-0-0-02009-03-03 · Senate21 yes 9 no
S02 Recommended Do Pass 3-2-0-0-02009-02-26 · Senate3 yes 2 no
S09 Recommended Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02009-02-25 · Senate5 yes 0 no
H Passed 3rd Reading 51-7-2-0-02009-02-10 · House51 yes 7 no
H02 Recommended Amend and Do Pass 7-0-0-0-02009-02-03 · House7 yes 0 no
H09 Recommended Amend and Do Pass 8-1-0-0-02009-01-30 · House8 yes 1 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Assigned Chapter Number - 203LSO
  2. Governor Signed HEA No. 0116Governor
  3. S President Signed HEA No. 0116Senate
  4. H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0116House
  5. Assigned Number HEA No. 0116LSO
  6. H Did ConcurHouse
  7. H Received for ConcurrenceHouse
  8. S Passed 3rd ReadingSenate
  9. Amendment AdoptedSenate
  10. S Passed 2nd ReadingSenate
  11. S Passed CoWSenate
  12. S Amendments AdoptedSenate
  13. Amendment AdoptedSenate
  14. S Placed on General FileSenate
  15. S02 Recommended Do PassSenate
  16. S Rereferred to S02Senate
  17. S Placed on General FileSenate
  18. S09 Recommended Amend and Do PassSenate
  19. S Introduced and Referred to S09Senate
  20. S Received for IntroductionSenate

Changes

Amendments

5 stored

HB0239HW001

Adopted Committee of the Whole by QUARBERG

HB0239HS001

Adopted, Corrected Standing Committee by H09

HB0239HS002

Adopted Standing Committee by H02

HB0239S3001

Adopted 3rd reading by COE

HB0239SS001

Adopted Standing Committee by LARSON