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SF0097

Large Project Economic Development Loans

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This law creates a specific account within the state's revolving investment fund to provide large loans or loan guarantees for economic development projects that meet strict public benefit and matching fund requirements.

What it does

  • Creates a 'large project account' within the revolving investment fund established under Article 16, Section 12 of the Wyoming Constitution.
  • Appropriates up to $25 million from the state's holding account to this new fund.
  • Requires borrowers to provide private investment in buildings, equipment, and infrastructure at least three times the amount of the state loan or guarantee.
  • Requires projects to demonstrate significant public benefits, including job creation, increased assessed valuation, and tax revenue growth.
  • Establishes a review process where the governor, state treasurer, Wyoming Business Council, and State Loan and Investment Board must review and approve the loan or guarantee.
  • Requires the state treasurer to set loan terms, including a 1% origination fee, adequate collateralization, and a first security interest to protect the state.
  • Prohibits using loan funds to refinance debt that existed before the project started.
  • Requires a written opinion from the attorney general certifying the legality of the transaction before a loan is made.

Who it affects

  • Businesses or entities seeking large state loans or loan guarantees for economic development projects in Wyoming.
  • State agencies including the Governor, State Treasurer, Wyoming Business Council, State Loan and Investment Board, and the Attorney General.
  • Counties and local communities where the funded projects are located, as they must see specific economic benefits like job growth and tax revenue increases.

Limits and unknowns

  • The total principal balance of outstanding loans cannot exceed the amounts appropriated by the legislature plus interest accrued and collected, minus any losses of loan principal.
  • The bill text provided is truncated, so the full details of the appropriation source and effective date provisions are not fully visible.
  • Specific interest rates are not set in the text; they are to be adopted by the state treasurer as approved by the State Loan and Investment Board.

Plain language

Terms to know

Revolving Investment Fund
A state fund where loan repayments and interest are deposited to be used again for future loans.
Loan Guarantee
A promise by the state to repay a lender if the borrower does not pay back the loan.
Collateralized
Securing a loan with assets or property that the state can take if the borrower fails to repay.
First Security Interest
A legal right that gives the state priority over other lenders to be paid back first if the borrower defaults.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Read the official summary

Bill No.: <billno> Drafter: <drafterinit> Bill No.: SF0097 Drafter: JDA LSO No.: 14LSO-0337 Effective Date: Immediate Enrolled Act No.: SEA0062 Chapter No.: CH0046 Prime Sponsor: Senator Coe Catch Title: Large fund economic development loans. Subject: State economic development loans. Summary/Major Elements: In 1986, voters approved a constitutional amendment, commonly known as Amendment IV, now Article 16, Section 12 of the Wyoming Constitution. Article 16, Section 12 authorizes the use of state funds to provide loans and loan guarantees to proposed or existing entities within the state which will provide one of a list of economic benefits to the state at zero or low interest rates. Funds to be used for Article 16, Section 12 projects require a 2/3 vote of both houses of the legislature to be appropriated to the revolving fund created under that section. Funds within the account shall not exceed 1% of the total assessed valuation in the state [$22.8 billion in FY2012]. Funds within the revolving account are not subject to the various constitutional limitations on the lending of state credit or donations to entities not under the complete control of the state. This bill creates the large project account within the revolving investment fund. The bill specifies the rules for loans to be made from the account including specified public benefits and requires a matching amount of at least three times the loan amount. The bill also requires that any loan is first reviewed and considered by the governor and also requires review by the state treasurer, the Wyoming business council and the attorney general prior to final approval by the state loan and investment board and the governor. The bill requires that the state loan and investment board set the interest rate for loans issued under the act. The state treasurer sets the terms of the loan or loan guarantee to ensure that it is adequately collateralized, that the state has a first security interest or a similar alternate security interest equivalent, and that the loan proceeds will be used for new investment in the state. The bill provides a $25 million appropriation to the large project account and provides rulemaking authority to the state treasurer related to the account.

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 7, 6:25 AM

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports both the amendment and the bill because they provide better security for state funds, ensuring money returns to a fund for future economic development rather than being distributed elsewhere.

Public statementFloor statement at 55:09 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because it provides necessary funding that was previously delayed by excessive expectations from state officials, but opposes the amendment as unnecessary since current procedures already allow for such security.

Public statementFloor statement at 56:14 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes both the amendment and the bill because local taxpayers are funding similar projects while the state burdens itself for a county that has not sought additional local taxes.

Public statementFloor statement at 57:18 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the amendment and bill because they include necessary safeguards to protect state funds while providing a statewide economic multiplier effect through job creation.

Public statementFloor statement at 58:18 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the amendment because it satisfies concerns by strengthening the treasurer's rulemaking capacity and ensuring alternate security is a first obligation to the state.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:00:10 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the amendment but opposes the bill due to concerns that it may violate constitutional provisions against passing special laws granting exclusive privileges to a specific corporation.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:01:29 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports both the amendment and bill because they clarify necessary details and ensure that funds invested in projects are adequately covered.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:02:26 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports both the amendment and bill because they establish a general application process for any project in the state, avoiding constitutional issues regarding special laws.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:02:48 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because diversifying the economy by recruiting large companies is essential for the state's survival and ability to provide jobs in the face of federal attacks on western minerals.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:03:47 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the amendment because it helps protect public money, regardless of how one votes on the bill itself.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:05:40 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports both the amendment and the bill because they establish a process allowing any large company to apply for funding, rather than targeting a specific entity.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:06:20 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports concurrence because the House amendments added strong language to protect state interests through collateral requirements and an origination fee.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:25:06 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because he believes economic development succeeds better through proper infrastructure and climate rather than competing with other states to buy businesses. He is concerned that companies enticed by benefits may leave for a higher offer, resulting in no return on investment.

Public statementFloor statement at 24:09 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because constituents prioritize jobs and education, noting that good education is ineffective if young people leave due to a lack of employment. He argues the bill establishes a necessary process for funding economic development using resources voters previously approved.

Public statementFloor statement at 26:23 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because it establishes proper security mechanisms for loans, which is critical given past instances where improper security led to wasted money. He believes this mechanism correctly protects state funds.

Public statementFloor statement at 29:17 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

8 roll calls

S Did Concur 26-4-0-0-02014-03-05 · Senate26 yes 4 no
H Passed 3rd Reading 45-14-0-0-12014-03-05 · House45 yes 14 no
H02 Recommended Do Pass 6-1-0-0-02014-02-28 · House6 yes 1 no
H09 Recommended Do Pass 9-0-0-0-02014-02-28 · House9 yes 0 no
S Passed 3rd Reading 26-4-0-0-02014-02-25 · Senate26 yes 4 no
S02 Recommended Amend and Do Pass 4-1-0-0-02014-02-20 · Senate4 yes 1 no
S09 Recommended Amend and Do Pass 4-1-0-0-02014-02-19 · Senate4 yes 1 no
S Introduced and Referred to S09 22-8-0-0-02014-02-13 · Senate22 yes 8 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Assigned Chapter NumberLSO
  2. Governor Signed SEA0062Governor
  3. H Speaker Signed SEA No. 0062House
  4. S President Signed SEA No. 0062Senate
  5. Assigned Number SEA0062LSO
  6. S Did ConcurSenate
  7. S Received for ConcurrenceSenate
  8. H Passed 3rd ReadingHouse
  9. Amendment AdoptedHouse
  10. Amendment AdoptedHouse
  11. H Passed 2nd ReadingHouse
  12. H Passed CoWHouse
  13. H Amendments AdoptedHouse
  14. Amendment AdoptedHouse
  15. H Placed on General FileHouse
  16. H02 Recommended Do PassHouse
  17. H Rereferred to H02House
  18. H Placed on General FileHouse
  19. H09 Recommended Do PassHouse
  20. H Introduced and Referred to H09House

Changes

Amendments

13 stored

SF0097H2001

Withdrawn 2nd reading by NORTHRUP

SF0097H3001

Adopted 3rd reading by NORTHRUP

SF0097H3002

Adopted 3rd reading by ZWONITZ,DV

SF0097HW001

Adopted, Corrected Committee of the Whole by NORTHRUP

SF0097S2001

Adopted 2nd reading by NICHOLAS,P

SF0097S3001

Adopted 3rd reading by COE

SF0097S3002

Adopted 3rd reading by NICHOLAS,P

SF0097S3003

Adopted 3rd reading by NICHOLAS,P

SF0097S3004

Adopted 3rd reading by NICHOLAS,P

SF0097S3005

Adopted 3rd reading by SCHIFFER

SF0097SW001

Adopted Committee of the Whole by NICHOLAS,P

SF0097SS001

Adopted Standing Committee by COE

SF0097SS002

Adopted Standing Committee by BEBOUT