Senators reject amendment to prioritize Law Enforcement Academy; bill later passes

Senators defeated an amendment to House Bill 111 that would have directed the State Building Commission to prioritize the Law Enforcement Academy, then passed the underlying bill on third reading.

Senator Bonar moved Amendment 1 to add language directing the State Building Commission (SBC) to give attention to the Law Enforcement Academy, arguing the project has lingered for years and needs a legislative nudge. Supporters said the amendment imposes no new spending but simply signals legislative priorities.

Opponents warned that the amendment would unsettle the SBC’s role and create a precedent for circumventing the normal appropriations and prioritization process. Senator Nethercott called it a dangerous practice that could invite a flood of similar directives to the commission. Senator Rothfuss said he would support the project but not the mechanism of prioritization without a clean appropriation. Senator Landon and others said the language — which used the term "prioritize" and in places used broad terms like "any Wyoming law enforcement project" — risked unintended consequences.

The Senate voted on the amendment by voice; the chair announced the amendment failed. The body returned to House Bill 111 on third reading, took a roll-call vote, and passed the bill 26-5, according to the clerk’s tally.

What happens next: House Bill 111, having passed the Senate on third reading, proceeds in the legislative process as provided by rules.