House approves Energy Dominance Fund after rejecting narrower severance‑tax restriction

Senate File 123 (Energy Wyoming Energy Dominance Fund) drew focused debate on the size of the fund and which projects should be eligible. Representative Bair proposed an amendment to reduce the appropriation from the bill’s original amount (as discussed on the floor) to $50 million and to limit eligibility to industries that pay severance tax. Proponents of the amendment argued for fiscal restraint and constraints on the use of industry‑paid monies; opponents said the narrower text would exclude value‑added industries (refining, pipelines, rare earths) and undercut the bill’s strategic aims.

Representative Lawley, Representative Larson, and others framed the bill as reinvesting a modest share of severance tax revenues into projects that could expand Wyoming’s energy and critical-minerals infrastructure and argued it would position the state for national strategic priorities. Opponents of the Bair amendment argued it would exclude essential downstream and value‑added projects and create ambiguity about eligibility periods for severance‑tax payers.

The amendment was divided and both divisions were rejected in recorded votes (division 1: 1 aye, 59 no; division 2: 20 aye, 40 no, 2 excused). The House then approved Senate File 123 by roll call, reported as 44 ayes, 16 no, and 2 excused. Supporters said the fund is targeted to energy projects including rare earths and export infrastructure; critics warned against picking winners and giving grants to large companies, calling for transparency and constraints.