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Wyoming2018Enacted

HB0130

State Fair Endowment Account

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This law creates a permanent fund for the Wyoming State Fair, sets rules for how money is invested and spent, and removes state law restrictions on gambling devices and alcohol sales at the fairgrounds.

What it does

  • Creates the State Fair Endowment Account, which is administered by the State Treasurer.
  • Authorizes the State Treasurer to accept cash gifts for the account.
  • Requires 75% of investment earnings to stay in the account and directs 25% to be distributed to the Wyoming State Fair Account.
  • Directs 1% of fee revenue generated for the use of fairgrounds and facilities to the State Fair Endowment Account.
  • Removes restrictions on gambling devices and intoxicating liquors sold on the fairgrounds.
  • Appropriates $100,000 from the general fund to the account and an additional $100,000 to the State Treasurer's Office to be transferred if fully matched by cash gifts.

Who it affects

  • The State Treasurer, who manages the new account, accepts gifts, and distributes earnings.
  • The Wyoming State Fair Board, which sets fees and manages the fairgrounds.
  • The Department of Agriculture, which may receive donations for the fair and must report on funds.
  • Vendors and businesses renting space at the fairgrounds, as 1% of their fees go to the new account.

Limits and unknowns

  • The law does not specify how much money is currently in the account or how much is expected in future cash gifts.
  • The $100,000 matching appropriation expires on June 30, 2020, if not fully matched and transferred.
  • The law removes state restrictions on gambling and alcohol, but other state laws (such as W.S. 12-4-505) may still apply.

Plain language

Terms to know

State Fair Endowment Account
A permanent fund created to hold money for the State Fair. It accepts cash gifts and invests funds.
Wyoming State Fair Account
The existing account used to support the State Fair and fairgrounds.
Inviolate
A legal term meaning the principal funds in the account are intended to be a permanent trust and cannot be spent; only the earnings can be used.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Read the official summary

Bill Summary Bill No.: HB0130 Effective : Immediately LSO No.: 18LSO-0267 Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0064 Chapter No.: 122 Prime Sponsor: Henderson Catch Title: State fair endowment. Subject: Endowment for the State Fair. Summary/Major Elements: This act c reates the State Fair E ndowment A ccount and authorizes the State Treasurer to ac cept cash gifts for the account . The act a u thorizes 75% of the investment earnings earned in the State Fair Endowment A ccount to be retained in the account and directs 25% of the investment earnings to be distributed to the Wyoming State Fair Account, which is u sed to support the State Fair and fairgrounds. The act d irects 1% of fee revenue generated for the use of the fa ir grounds and facilities to the State Fair Endowment Account . The act r emoves restrictions on gambling devices and intoxicating liquors sold on the f airgrounds . The act a ppropriates $100,000 from the general fund to the State Fair Endowment Account and an addition al $100,000 to the State Treasurer's Office that will be transferred to the State Fair Endowment Account if the $100,000 is fully matched by cash gifts to the State Fair Endowment Account. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill .

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Sep 12, 10:58 AM

Bob Nicholas

R · H08

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker explains that the bill recreates the original version sent to the Senate with minor changes and states it is a good bill.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:04:23 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker describes the legislation as a good bill and requests an affirmative vote.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:05:24 Watch the statement

Larry Hicks

R · S11

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports removing the gambling and liquor provisions in Division 1 because they are already covered by existing statutes, making them consistent with new board duties.

Public statementFloor statement at 2:08:05 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because it creates a sustainable funding source for state fair operations through an endowment and matching funds, which will eventually eliminate reliance on general fund appropriations.

Public statementFloor statement at 25:09 Watch the statement

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

7 roll calls

H Concur:Passed 60-0-0-0-02018-03-10 · House60 yes 0 no
S 3rd Reading:Passed 25-5-0-0-02018-03-09 · Senate25 yes 5 no
Amendment adopted 23-6-1-0-02018-03-08 · Senate23 yes 6 no
S05 - Agriculture:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02018-03-07 · Senate5 yes 0 no
H 3rd Reading:Passed 58-0-2-0-02018-02-27 · House58 yes 0 no
H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 7-0-0-0-02018-02-20 · House7 yes 0 no
H Introduced and Referred to H02 - Appropriations 60-0-0-0-02018-02-14 · House60 yes 0 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Governor Signed HEA No. 0064Governor
  2. Assigned Chapter Number 122LSO
  3. S President Signed HEA No. 0064Senate
  4. H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0064House
  5. Assigned Number HEA No. 0064LSO
  6. H Concur:Passed 60-0-0-0-0House
  7. H Received for ConcurrenceHouse
  8. S 3rd Reading:Passed 25-5-0-0-0Senate
  9. S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
  10. S COW:PassedSenate
  11. S Placed on General FileSenate
  12. S05 - Agriculture:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0Senate
  13. S Introduced and Referred to S05 - AgricultureSenate
  14. S Received for IntroductionSenate
  15. H 3rd Reading:Passed 58-0-2-0-0House
  16. H 2nd Reading:PassedHouse
  17. H COW:PassedHouse
  18. H Placed on General FileHouse
  19. H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 7-0-0-0-0House
  20. H Introduced and Referred to H02 - Appropriations 60-0-0-0-0House

Changes

Amendments

3 stored

HB0130HS001

Adopted Standing Committee by HAppropriations

HB0130S2001

Adopted 2nd reading by Hicks

HB0130SS001

Corrected, Adopted Standing Committee by SAgriculture