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Senate committee-of-the-whole advances multiple bills; standing and voice votes recorded
Summary
The Wyoming Senate committee of the whole reported favorably on a package of bills Feb. 3, including measures on post-conviction DNA testing, missing persons reporting, wildfire restoration funding, administrative rule review, net metering, and others. Several bills passed by voice; one required a standing vote.
The Wyoming Senate’s committee of the whole reported favorably on a series of bills Feb. 3 after floor explanations and debate, sending multiple measures back to the full Senate with recommendations to pass.
Key items advanced include post-conviction DNA testing amendments (Senate File 101), a missing persons reporting requirement (Senate File 114), wildfire restoration and mitigation funding (Senate File 148), procedural changes for administrative rules (Senate File 127), net metering revisions (Senate File 111), expanded authority for credit unions to receive certain public deposits (Senate File 143), and provisions related to manufacturing and storage of spent fuel associated with advanced nuclear reactors (Senate File 186). Many of the measures were reported out of the committee of the whole by voice vote; Senate File 148 (wildfire restoration funding) required a standing vote and passed 15–13 in committee of the whole.
Why this matters: Several of the bills change how state government responds to public-safety or economic issues (missing-person protocols; wildfire landscape and watershed restoration), alter regulatory oversight (administrative rules), or affect energy and finance policy (net metering, nuclear manufacturing, and credit union deposits). Some measures include multi‑million‑dollar appropriations or borrowing authority that would influence the state budget and implementation timelines.
Details and outcomes (committee-of-the-whole recommendations): - Senate File 101 — Post-conviction DNA testing procedure amendments: reported do pass (committee motion by Senator Olson; sponsor Senator Landon). Committee recommendation passed by voice vote. - Senate File 114 — Missing persons reporting requirement (with standing committee amendment and committee-of-the-whole amendment adopted): reported do pass amended (sponsor Senator Landon). Committee recommendation passed by voice vote. - Senate File 148 — Wildfire fire suppression and landscape restoration funding (standing committee amendment adopted; Committee of the Whole vote recorded): reported do pass amended (sponsor Senator Crago). Committee standing vote in committee of the whole: 15 ayes, 13 no. - Senate File 127 — Regulations of the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (RAIN) / administrative rules review (standing committee and committee-of-the-whole amendments adopted): reported do pass amended (sponsor Senator Bonar/French). Committee recommendation passed by voice vote. - Senate File 111 — Net metering revisions (grandfathering for existing systems; new rate-setting for future systems): reported do pass (sponsor Senator Case). Committee recommendation passed by voice vote. - Senate File 143 — Public monies, deposits, and credit unions (would permit credit unions to accept public funds): reported do pass (sponsor Senator Nethercott). Committee recommendation passed by voice vote; floor debate included constitutional questions and policy arguments for and against. - Senate File 186 — Advanced nuclear reactor manufacturing and on-site spent fuel storage provisions (standing committee amendment adopted): reported do pass amended (sponsor Senator Cooper). Committee recommendation passed by voice vote.
Other committee-of-the-whole actions: the committee also reported favorably on additional bills listed at the end of the day’s committee-of-the-whole report (see provenance). Sponsors and committee chairs noted some bills returned with standing-committee amendments; several measures were re-referred to Appropriations for further budgetary consideration.
What’s next: Bills reported do pass from the committee of the whole proceed to the full Senate for further floor action or scheduling as required by Senate rules. Several measures contain appropriations or borrowing authority that will be reconciled with the state budget process and may receive second-reading amendment opportunities.
Votes recorded in the transcript include at least one standing recorded tally in committee of the whole (Senate File 148, 15–13). Other measures advanced by voice vote or unanimous “aye” calls in committee of the whole.
