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26LSO-0498
2026
STATE OF WYOMING
26LSO-0498
Introduced
2.0
SENATE FILE NO. SF0125
Wyoming business council-amendments.
Sponsored by: Senator(s) Crum, Anderson, Barlow, Crago, Love and Nethercott
A BILL
for
AN ACT relating to the administration of the government; amending programs, functions and operations of the Wyoming business council; specifying requirements for the Wyoming business council; making conforming amendments; specifying limitations of the Wyoming business council; specifying applicability; requiring reports; creating a task force; providing appropriations; and providing for effective dates.
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:
Section 1
.
(a)
On and after April 15, 2027 and subject to any other legislation providing otherwise, the Wyoming business council shall:
(i)
Not accept any new applications for grants, loans, bonds or other funding for any programs operated by the Wyoming business council or for any programs for which the council has been delegated administration or operation;
(ii)
Not process any pending applications for grants, loans, financial aid, bonds or other funding for any programs operated by the Wyoming business council or for any programs for which the council has been delegated administration or operation;
(iii)
Not approve any grants or financial aid or disburse any grant funds for financial aid for grants or applications not approved or executed before the effective date of this section. For purposes of this paragraph, the business council may disburse grant funds and financial aid encumbered or obligated until April 15, 2027;
(iv)
Not approve any loans or bonds or disburse any funds for loans or bonds not approved or executed before the effective date of this section.
(b)
Not later than April 30, 2026, the Wyoming business council shall report to the joint appropriations committee, the joint minerals, business and economic development interim committee, the governor, the state budget department, the state loan and investment board and the Wyoming energy authority on all of the following:
(i)
The total amount of grant funds and financial aid obligated for disbursement, but not disbursed, approved or executed before the effective date of this section, itemized by program;
(ii)
The number of loans executed by the business council before the effective date of this section that are still outstanding as of the date of the report required under this subsection. In reporting information under this paragraph, the business council shall itemize each loan by program and report the recipient of each outstanding loan, the terms and conditions of each outstanding loan, the repayment schedule for each loan and the amount remaining to be repaid for each outstanding loan;
(iii)
The number of bonds executed by the business council before the effective date of this section that are still outstanding as of the date of the report required under this subsection. In reporting information under this paragraph, the business council shall report each outstanding bond, the terms and conditions of each outstanding bond and any amount remaining to be paid or repaid for each outstanding bond;
(iv)
All real and personal property owned or held by the business council as of the date of the report required under this subsection. Information reported under this paragraph shall include the program or function for which the property is owned or held;
(v)
Each program and function administered or operated by the business council not otherwise specified in this subsection;
(vi)
Each set or group of funds received by the business council for:
(A)
Funds held or invested by or for the Wyoming business council for any programs for which the business council has statutory authority or other delegated authority to operate and administer, and the associated programs and functions connected to or funded by those funds;
(B)
Funds received by the business council from any nonstate source for disbursement or expenditure for any purpose, program or function for which the business council has statutory authority or other delegated authority to operate and administer, and the associated programs and functions connected to or funded by those funds;
(C)
Funds or accounts held or administered by the Wyoming business council containing funds or created within the revolving investment fund created under article 16, section 12 of the Wyoming constitution;
(D)
Any other program, function or group of funds assigned to the business council by law not otherwise specified in this section.
Section 2.
9
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2
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2604(c), 9
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2
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2611(m),
9
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12
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104 by creating a new subsection (c), 9
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12
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105(a)(intro), (b)(intro), (c)(intro) and (d)(intro), 9
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12
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106(a)(intro) and (b), 9
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12
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109 by creating a new subsection (o), 9
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12
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201, 9
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12
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302(a), 9
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12
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308(b), 9
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12
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601(b), 9
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12
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801(b), 9
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12
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902(a), 9
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12
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1104(a), 9
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12
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1202, 9
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12
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1301, 9
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12
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1501(a), 9
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20
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102(b), 21
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18
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104 and 40
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11
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102(b) are amended to read:
9
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2
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2604.
Workforce development training fund established.
(c)
Expenditures from the workforce development training fund for purposes authorized in subsection (b) of this section shall be approved by the director of the department of workforce services based on procedures, criteria and performance measures established by regulations. Notification of expenditures approved under paragraphs (b)(iii) and (iv) of this section and a copy of the training fund application shall be provided to the Wyoming business council
, subject to W.S. 9
‑
12
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104(c)
. The director of the department of workforce services shall report annually to the governor and the legislature on the expenditures made from the training fund in the preceding fiscal year and the results of the activities funded by the training fund.
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2
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2611.
Priority economic sector business workforce training programs; eligibility.
(m)
Subject to W.S. 9
‑
12
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104(c), t
he Wyoming business council shall assist the department with review of information provided under paragraphs (h)(i) and (ii) of this section, as requested by the department. If the department determines that an applicant meets the criteria established in this section and has complied with the applicable procedures and review processes established by the department, the department may recommend funding for a priority economic sector business workforce development program and the disbursement of funds under contract to the eligible training provider.
The recipient eligible training provider shall use funds received under the program in accordance with the provisions of the contract.
No funding shall be provided for any program without the written opinion of the attorney general certifying the legality of the transaction and all documents connected therein.
Upon recommendation of the department, certification by the attorney general, and approval by the governor or his designee, funding from the Wyoming workforce development
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priority economic sector partnership subaccount may be distributed to the eligible training provider.
9
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12
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104.
General powers and duties of the council.
(c)
For the period beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027, the Wyoming business council shall not take any action that expands any program, duty or function of the Wyoming business council and shall not assume any new program, duty or function until July 1, 2027, unless otherwise required by law.
9
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12
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105.
Economic development services.
(a)
It shall be the duty of the council to encourage, stimulate and support the development and expansion of the economy of the state.
Subject to W.S. 9
‑
12
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104(c), t
he council is charged with the following duties and responsibilities:
(b)
The council, in consultation with the coordinator of economic diversification, shall implement the "startup:Wyoming" program in priority economic sectors identified in the approved twenty (20) year comprehensive economic diversification strategy under W.S. 9
‑
12
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1402(a)(iv)
, subject to W.S. 9
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12
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104(c)
.
The program shall:
(c)
The council shall administer a "kickstart:Wyoming" program to provide funding to early stage ventures of Wyoming based entrepreneurs. Funding under this subsection shall be provided upon approval of the council
, subject to W.S. 9
‑
12
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104(c)
.
The council shall adopt rules for funding under this subsection in consultation with the coordinator of economic diversification.
Funding shall be in amounts ranging from five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) and be provided under the following conditions:
(d)
The council shall administer a small business innovation research matching program in accordance with this subsection
, subject to W.S. 9
‑
12
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104(c)
. The program shall match federal funds approved for Wyoming based companies as provided in this subsection.
The program shall be administered by the council in consultation with the University of Wyoming research office. The following shall apply to the program under this subsection:
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12
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106.
Planning and research.
(a)
Subject to W.S. 9
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12
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104(c), i
t shall also be the duty of the council to:
(b)
Subject to W.S. 9
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12
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104(c), t
he council may establish a Wyoming market research center to conduct regional, national and international market research for Wyoming small businesses and potential entrepreneurs and to conduct market feasibility studies for value added projects across all economic sectors, including agriculture.
The center may utilize the services of student interns from the University of Wyoming and community colleges to provide those students with practical marketing experience.
9
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12
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109.
Promotion of agriculture; financing of agriculture processing projects; revenue bonds.
(o)
This section and any program or funding provided for in this section shall be subject to W.S. 9
‑
12
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104(c).
9
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12
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201.
Assumption of science technology and energy authority functions.
In assuming the functions of the science energy and technology authority
,
the council shall administer the program in accordance with the provisions of this act generally and the specific provisions of this article
, subject to W.S. 9
‑
12
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104(c)
.
9
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12
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302.
Wyoming partnership challenge loan program; creation; rulemaking; administration account.
(a)
The council shall establish and administer a partnership challenge loan program under this article and may contract for necessary professional services
, subject to W.S. 9
‑
12
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104(c)
. Loans authorized under the program shall be limited, except as otherwise provided under W.S. 9
‑
12
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304(c) through (k), to community development organizations and state development organizations and made in accordance with the provisions of W.S. 9
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12
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304. Any community development organization or state development organization may submit an application to the council to participate in the program on forms prescribed by and subject to rules promulgated by the council.
9
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12
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308.
Large project loan program.
(b)
Subject to W.S. 9
‑
12
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104(c), f
unds in the large project account within the revolving investment fund shall be used exclusively to promote and aid economic development of the state by providing loan guarantees or loans to proposed or existing enterprises that will employ people within the state, provide services in the state, use resources in the state or otherwise add economic value to goods, services or resources within the state consistent with this section.
9
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12
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601.
Wyoming business ready community program; purpose; creation; rulemaking.
(b)
The council shall establish and administer a Wyoming business ready community program as provided by this article
and subject to W.S. 9
‑
12
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104(c)
. Any city, town, county or the Eastern Shoshone or Northern Arapaho tribe, or the cooperative tribal governing body, may submit an application to the council for a grant or loan under the program on forms prescribed by and subject to rules promulgated by the council. Grants or loans may be applied for by a joint powers board with the approval of all participating agencies to the joint powers agreement. Grants and loans may be made by the council for economic or educational development, planning or infrastructure projects, including the purchase of land, buildings, facilities, telecommunications infrastructure, rights of way, airports, sewer and water projects, roads, landscaping, recreational and convention facilities or other infrastructure determined by the council to be consistent with the purposes of this article. In adopting rules and making grants and loans under this article the council shall require all projects to be related to economic or educational development, planning or infrastructure, which shall not include rehabilitation or expansion of existing infrastructure unless the council determines the rehabilitation or expansion is necessary to meet the purposes of this article. Planning grants and loans shall be limited as provided in subsection (m) of this section. All grants or loans made under this article shall be referred by the council to the state loan and investment board for final approval or disapproval. The state loan and investment board may adopt rules as necessary to implement its duties under this article.
9
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12
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801.
Wyoming community facilities program; purpose; creation; administration by council; rulemaking authority; eligible projects.
(b)
The council shall administer a Wyoming community facilities program as provided by this article, subject to the approval of grants and loans by the state loan and investment board as provided by this article
and subject to W.S. 9
‑
12
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104(c)
.
9
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12
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902.
Wyoming workforce housing infrastructure program; creation; rulemaking.
(a)
The council shall establish and administer a Wyoming workforce housing infrastructure program as provided by this article
, subject to W.S. 9
‑
12
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104(c)
. Any city, town, county, special improvement district or the Eastern Shoshone or Northern Arapaho tribe, or the cooperative tribal governing body, may submit an application to the council for a loan under the program on forms prescribed by and subject to rules promulgated by the council. Loans may be applied for by a joint powers board with the approval of all participating agencies to the joint powers agreement. Loans may be made by the council for workforce housing infrastructure projects and community land trust projects. In adopting rules and making loans under this article the council shall require all projects to be related to workforce housing infrastructure or community land trusts.
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12
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1104.
Duties of the council.
(a)
Subject to W.S. 9
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12
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104(c), t
he council shall establish and administer a Wyoming main street program to coordinate state and local participation in programs offered by the national main street center, created by the national trust for historic preservation, to assist municipalities in planning, managing and implementing programs for the revitalization of business areas.
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12
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1202.
Energy performance contracting.
Subject to W.S. 9
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12
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104(c), t
he council shall establish a Wyoming energy conservation improvement program which provides support development and implementation of energy performance contract projects to facility owners voluntarily participating in the program.
In order to participate in the program, facility owners and energy services companies shall be subject to the provisions of this article and rules adopted pursuant to this article.
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1301.
Short title.
(a)
This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Wyoming small business investment credit program".
(b)
This program and any other funding specified in this article shall be subject to W.S. 9
‑
12
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104(c).
9
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12
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1501.
Broadband development program established; purposes; eligibility; definitions.
(a)
Subject to W.S. 9
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12
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1504(c), a
broadband funding program is established under the Wyoming business council to provide funds to eligible applicants in order to promote the expansion of access to broadband service in unserved areas of the state.
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20
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102.
Wyoming mineral to value added product program; rulemaking authority.
(b)
The Wyoming business council shall establish and administer the program under this act
, subject to W.S. 9
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12
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104(c)
.
Any commercial scale minerals to value added products facility shall submit a proposal to the governor.
The governor may provide recommendations for the size and parameters of the proposed contract.
An application to participate in the program shall then be submitted to and reviewed by the Wyoming business council under the process set forth in W.S. 9
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12
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601 through 9
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12
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603.
The application shall be submitted on forms prescribed by, and subject to rules promulgated by, the Wyoming business council.
In determining whether to recommend a contract for approval, the Wyoming business council shall consider if the applicant has demonstrated a business plan, balance sheet, sufficient cash flow, commitments to sell the finished product and other indices necessary to demonstrate the applicant's ability to perform under the contract as determined by rule and regulation of the Wyoming business council.
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104.
Small business development centers.
The small business development centers shall be operated by the University of Wyoming. The university shall specify the organizational structure of the network of centers in consultation with the Wyoming business council created by W.S. 9
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12
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103.
The university shall integrate the operations of the centers with the Wyoming business council
, subject to W.S. 9
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12
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104(c),
to the fullest extent permitted by federal law.
40
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11
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102.
Application by public corporation to establish and operate zone; designation of agency to apply on behalf of state.
(b)
Subject to W.S. 9
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12
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104(c), t
he Wyoming business council is the public entity designated and authorized to apply, on behalf of the state of Wyoming, for foreign trade zone authority, sub
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zone authority or port of entry pursuant to the act of congress and regulations issued pursuant to the act.
Section 3.
(a)
There is created the Wyoming business council legislative task force to consist of the following members:
(i)
The governor or the governor's designee;
(ii)
Two (2) members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. One (1) member appointed under this paragraph shall be designated by the speaker of the house as cochairman of the task force;
(iii)
Two (2) members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate. One (1) member appointed under this paragraph shall be designated by the president of the senate as cochairman of the task force;
(iv)
One (1) member representing the mineral industry, to be appointed by the governor;
(v)
One (1) member representing the construction industry, to be appointed by the governor;
(vi)
One (1) member representing the manufacturing industry, to be appointed by the governor;
(vii)
One (1) member representing power generation in Wyoming, to be appointed by the governor;
(viii)
One (1) member representing a local economic development organization, to be appointed by the governor;
(ix)
One (1) member representing the retail industry, to be appointed by the governor;
(x)
One (1) member representing the tourism industry, to be appointed by the governor;
(xi)
One (1) member representing the agriculture industry, to be appointed by the governor.
(b)
The task force shall be staffed by the legislative service office.
(c)
The task force shall meet not less than three (3) times during the work of the task force.
(d)
Legislative members of the task force shall receive salary, per diem and mileage as provided by W.S. 28
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5
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101. Members of the task force who are not members of the legislature or state employees shall receive per diem and mileage as provided by W.S. 28
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5
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101.
(e)
The task force shall:
(i)
Complete a comprehensive evaluation and review of the Wyoming business council, its operations and each of its programs, duties and functions;
(ii)
Solicit feedback and recommendations on economic development initiatives that are needed or desired in Wyoming and what role, if any, the Wyoming business council should play in implementing those initiatives;
(iii)
Review the information reported and submitted under section 1 of this act;
(iv)
Evaluate which programs, duties and functions of the Wyoming business council should be retained, modified, privatized, transferred or eliminated;
(v)
Consider and develop recommended improvements for the operations of the Wyoming business council, including how the Wyoming business council interacts with and involves the Wyoming business community;
(vi)
Consider and develop proposed legislation to implement any recommendations or proposals developed through the task force's work under this subsection.
(f)
Not later than October 1, 2026, the task force shall:
(i)
Report its findings and recommendations for the Wyoming business council to the governor and the joint minerals, business and economic development interim committee;
(ii)
Forward any proposed legislation for the 2027 general session to the joint minerals, business and economic development interim committee or to another applicable committee.
(g)
The task force may request the assistance of any state agency or other entity in completing its work. Upon receiving a request under this subsection, each agency or entity shall provide assistance to the task force as requested.
(h)
The task force created under this section shall terminate on December 31, 2026.
Section 4
.
(a)
There is appropriated twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) from the general fund to the legislative service office for purposes of providing salary, per diem and mileage to the legislative members of the task force created under section 3 of this act.
This appropriation shall be for the period beginning with the effective date of this act and ending June 30, 2028.
This appropriation shall not be transferred or expended for any other purpose and any unexpended, unobligated funds remaining from this appropriation shall revert as provided by law on June 30, 2028.
(b)
There is appropriated forty thousand dollars ($40,000.00) from the general fund to the office of the governor for purposes of providing per diem and mileage to nonlegislative members of the task force created under section 3 of this act. This appropriation shall be for the period beginning with the effective date of this act and ending June 30, 2028. This appropriation shall not be transferred or expended for any other purpose and any unexpended, unobligated funds remaining from this appropriation shall revert as provided by law on June 30, 2028. It is the intent of the legislature that this appropriation not be included in the standard budget of the office of the governor for the immediately succeeding fiscal biennium.
Section 5
.
Nothing in this act shall be construed to impair any existing contracts, agreements or other obligations of the Wyoming business council executed before the effective date of this section.
Section 6
.
(a)
Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this act is effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.
(b)
Section 2 of this act is effective July 1, 2026.
(END)
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SF0125