Senate concurs on Energy Dominance Fund with $105 million cap after floor debate

The Wyoming Senate on March 6 concurred with the House on Senate File 123, known as the Wyoming Energy Dominance Fund, approving the package by roll call: 27 ayes, 2 noes and 2 excused.

President Bridal summarized House amendments, including technical corrections, additions to include trona and bentonite development projects, and a management-council review of proposed expenditures. He noted an amendment that imposes a funding cap of $105,000,000 and said the fund is intended to jump-start energy-development projects.

Senator Barlow asked whether appropriations in the bill could subject fund spending to executive action and sought clarification about the role of the executive branch. Senator Bateman said that conferring discretion to the executive is “the risk we take,” and urged trust in the executive to act appropriately.

Floor managers said they could live with the amendments despite reservations and urged an aye vote. By concurrence the measure proceeds to the enrolled-act process; the transcript records a floor manager’s assurance that the next legislature could revisit the funding structure in the future.