Wyoming Senate adopts conference report on Senate File 169, moves $19 million between state accounts

The Wyoming Senate on March 6, 2025, adopted Joint Conference Committee Report No. 2 to Senate File 169, a bill described on the floor as a repeal and reorganization of accounts in the Strategic Investments in Projects Account (CIPA) that includes transfers to several state projects. Senator Charles Hicks moved the report; the motion passed 19–9 with three senators excused.

Senator Hicks told colleagues the action functions as a fund swap rather than a new appropriation. "That $10,000,000 still sits, in the account. That's not being expended. That will revert, next year," he said, and described a transfer to the state parks and cultural resources account to begin work on a state shooting complex. He said an additional transfer would move $9,000,000 from the Wyoming State Penitentiary capital construction subaccount within CIPA to the Department of Corrections for integration of the department's security system.

The nut graf: the adopted report restructures existing balances inside CIPA and related accounts to allow two near-term projects to proceed — starting work on a state shooting complex and funding security upgrades at state correctional facilities — using funds the sponsors said were already appropriated.

Senator Brian Barlow asked how the different source accounts would be repatriated, noting some monies originated in trust or program-specific accounts. "So how will those funds be repatriated if they will?" Barlow asked. In response, Senator Roffus said the penitentiary capital construction subaccount holds roughly $52,000,000 and that the $9,000,000 transfer represents existing, unencumbered funds within that subaccount rather than a new appropriation.

Hicks further explained the provenance of money set aside previously for the shooting complex: $5,000,000 was general fund, $2,500,000 came from Game and Fish funds and $2,500,000 from the tourism large project account. He said those sums remain in the account until the legislature reappropriates them or they revert under their sunset provisions.

The motion to adopt the joint conference committee report was offered on the floor by Senator Hicks and put to a roll-call vote. The chief clerk announced the tally as 19 ayes, 9 noes and 3 excused, and the body declared the report adopted. The sponsor said the transfers are "conforming" language intended to move existing balances to the agencies that will begin project work.

The report also consolidates or clarifies language governing transfers out of capital construction accounts and CIPA; senators asked procedural and source-of-funds questions before the vote.

Votes at a glance: Joint Conference Committee Report No. 2 to Senate File 169 — adopted, 19 ayes, 9 noes, 3 excused.

The Senate recessed for the day after the vote and scheduled conference committee meetings related to other files for later in the session.