Conference committee splits $18M correction security request, frees $10M for state shooting complex

A joint conference committee on Senate File 169 approved a compromise to allocate $9,000,000 to the Wyoming Department of Corrections for upgrades to penitentiary security systems and to free $10,000,000 for the Wyoming State Shooting Complex, the committee chair announced during the meeting. The committee approved the proposal by a 6-0 roll call vote.

The committee’s compromise replaced an $18,000,000 request in a House amendment with a $9,000,000 allocation for the Department of Corrections and redirected $10,000,000 from a remaining CIPA account to State Parks and Cultural Resources for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Wyoming State Shooting Complex. The committee also agreed to delete several third-reading amendments and to add a new subsection, according to the proposal presented at the meeting.

Why it matters: The funding addresses penitentiary safety systems that the Department of Corrections says are outdated and proprietary, and it would unlock capital for a state shooting complex project that state parks says will require a memorandum of understanding before funds are released.

Dan Shanno, director of the Department of Corrections, told the committee the department began replacing security electronics in 2017 and that the requests continued under his leadership in 2020. "This is our number 1 priority for safety," Shanno said, describing recent changes in threats and technology, including drones, narcotics in mail and the transition from DVR systems to cloud-based, integrated control systems. Shanno said the estimated cost remains $18,000,000 but that starting with part of the funding is acceptable: "I feel comfortable that that'll lead us in the right direction, and I'll can report out where we're at at this upcoming session." He told members the work will require multiple procurements rather than a single request for proposals because the security upgrades are specialized.

Dave Glenn, director of State Parks and Cultural Resources, said the department is prepared to move forward if the $10,000,000 designated for the Wyoming State Shooting Complex is freed. "If that $10,000,000 is freed up, we are ready to start creating an MOU with Park County and that community. We will not free up those dollars till that MOU is completed and move forward," Glenn said.

Committee discussion noted that the compromise is designed to keep the bill’s title and purpose aligned with transfers from existing accounts rather than creating new programs. A committee member characterized the proposal as a "swap," moving some remaining CIPA funds for the shooting complex rather than releasing money previously tied to a state shooting complex tax force account. Members also described the $18,000,000 figure as a House appropriation that had not been ratified by the full Senate, and the committee agreed to split the difference between the two positions.

Formal action: A committee member moved the offer; the roll call recorded six ayes and no recorded nays, abstentions or recusals. The recorded votes were: Representative Wasatch — Aye; Representative Angelos — Aye; Representative Bair — Aye; Senator Hicks — Aye; Senator Rothfuss — Aye; Senator Smith — Aye. The committee approved the conference proposal; the transcript does not record subsequent legislative steps or final enactment.

Implementation notes and next steps: The Department of Corrections said $9,000,000 will begin security work and that additional requests may return in the 2026 budget process. State Parks said it will not release the $10,000,000 until a memorandum of understanding with Park County is completed. The committee did not set a specific timeline for those follow-ups in the recorded discussion.

Votes at a glance

- Conference proposal on Senate File 169 (fund transfers and capital allocations): Approved, 6-0.

Sources: Committee proceedings on Senate File 169; testimony from Dan Shanno, director, Department of Corrections; testimony from Dave Glenn, director, State Parks and Cultural Resources.