Appropriations committee closes governor—s supplemental budget after hours of amendments; several units split votes

The Appropriations Committee met for a multi-hour markup and voted to close the governor—s supplemental budget as amended, concluding with a roll-call close vote that passed 12-0 with one excused recorded as present for quorum.

The committee—s work mixed unanimous routine approvals of agency units with sharper debate and divided votes on larger policy and program items. Lawmakers moved line-by-line through agency units, accepting some governor recommendations, trimming others and inserting new footnotes or restrictions.

Why it matters: The supplemental package reallocates or affirms funding for hazard mitigation, emergency response, natural resources work, interstate water efforts and several administrative accounts. Several contested votes reflect differing views on the scope of state spending for strategic initiatives and the conditions under which federal funds may be accepted.

The committee approved smaller agency units largely by roll call. Agency 001Unit 0601 (Emergency Response) and Unit 1106 (Disaster Contingency) were approved on roll calls with strong support. Several higher-dollar or policy-sensitive items drew debate:

- Wyoming Innovative Partnership (Unit 3601): The committee voted to deny the governor—s $5.2 million recommendation for the Wyoming Innovative Partnership (WIP) and to add language requiring a future efficiency study. The motion to reduce the request to $0 and require a study passed on roll call (8 ayes, 3 noes, 1 excused).

- Natural Resources Core Industries (Unit 3701): Members debated amendments to change the funding level and broaden allowable uses from coal-only to all natural resources. The unit was amended multiple times, briefly defeated and then reopened for a final roll call. After reopening, the unit passed on a final roll call (final recorded result: 11 ayes, 1 excused).

- Interstate water (Unit 3801): The committee approved funding for interstate water work and amended the unit on the floor to earmark the appropriation specifically for outside legal counsel after members expressed concern this funding might be used for broad consultant or modeling work. The motion to restrict the funds to legal counsel was adopted and the unit passed (final recorded tally reported as 9 ayes, 2 noes, 1 excused).

- Secretary of State supplemental request (Agency 002, Unit 0101): Lawmakers debated a supplemental request from the Secretary of State—s office for a one-time information system upgrade (roughly the $2.9 million item) and related new full-time equivalents. A floor amendment that would have denied new FTEs while approving a procurement under standard rules ended in a 6-6 tie and therefore failed.

- Search and rescue / tourism funds transfer: A motion to allow transfers from the tourism projects account to top up the search-and-rescue account if that balance fell below $400,000 failed in voice/hand counts after divided debate; members expressed concern about using tourism money as a standing backfill without clearer data on the account balance and use patterns.

Other actions and administrative votes: The State Treasurer—s office items were adjusted for a modest correction to employee group health insurance double-counting and passed on amendment. Department of Administration and Information items included a transfer of existing funds to allow expanded weekend hours for the state capitol building; that transfer passed. Several FTE reductions or trims to requests were made and approved in committee.

Committee process and next steps: Co-Chair Bair and Chair Salazar said members plan to reconvene to finish remaining supplemental markup items across additional afternoons if necessary. The committee closed the governor—s budget as amended and moved on to Agency 002 (Secretary of State) and subsequent agencies for further markup.

Votes at a glance (selected units)

- Agency 001, Unit 0601 (Emergency Response) — Outcome: Approved; roll call reported 11 ayes, 1 excused. - Agency 001, Unit 1106 (Disaster Contingency) — Outcome: Approved; roll call reported 11 ayes, 1 excused. - Agency 001, Unit 1113 (Bridal) — Outcome: Amended (reduced to $200,000 with federal funds leverage language) and approved; roll call 11 ayes, 1 excused. - Agency 001, Unit 3601 (Wyoming Innovative Partnership) — Motion to deny governor—s $5.2M request and require an efficiency study: Passed (8 ayes, 3 noes, 1 excused). - Agency 001, Unit 3701 (Natural Resources Core Industries) — Multiple amendments; unit ultimately approved after reopening (final recorded: 11 ayes, 1 excused). - Agency 001, Unit 3801 (Interstate Water) — Amended to earmark funds for outside legal counsel; approved (approximately 9 ayes, 2 noes, 1 excused reported). - Agency 002, Unit 0101 (Secretary of State administration; supplemental IT request) — Motion to deny FTEs while approving a procurement failed on a 6-6 tie; other motions failed; supplemental request was not approved as amended. - Transfer from tourism projects to Search & Rescue (if balance < $400,000) — Motion failed.

Discussion highlights and clarifications

- FEMA/federal funds: Lawmakers questioned whether denying a particular state appropriation would limit the state—s ability to accept FEMA funds; State Budget Department staff (Kevin Hibber, director of the State Budget Department) advised that if the committee denies the account and does not add a footnote, the denial alone does not necessarily represent a refusal to accept federal funds.

- Natural resources funding: The debate focused on whether previously appropriated coal-focused funds should be broadened for all natural-resource litigation, data acquisition and related purposes. Supporters argued the state needs resources to defend water and resource rights in court and in federal planning processes; opponents expressed concern about depleting limited funds.

- Process notes: Several members asked staff to clarify the exact language and dollar amounts before voting; the committee repeatedly paused to re-run roll calls when members requested clarity.

Ending: The committee adjourned to reconvene later in the day to continue supplemental markup. Co-chair Bair said the goal is to finish the supplemental markup by Wednesday or Thursday of the same week, working through contested units methodically.