House adopts amendments to redirect strategic-investment funds; moves $1 to state shooting complex funding, approves penitentiary security transfers

The Wyoming House considered Senate File 169, legislation to repeal the Strategic Investments and Projects Account (CIPA) and to transfer remaining funds. Debate focused on two high-profile floor amendments: one that transfers $1 from CIPA into a Wyoming State Shooting Complex account created in 2023, and another that allocates part of a penitentiary-related subaccount for security upgrades across multiple county facilities.

Representative Washer moved third-reading Amendment 1 to transfer $1 from CIPA into the shooting complex account and to authorize expenditure by the department overseeing state parks. Supporters said the measure would honor prior legislative actions that set aside funds in 2023 and unlock monies that require an additional act to release. Representative Harrelson and Representative Winter urged support to keep the state engaged with communities and industry partners; Representative Pendergraft described it as a way to "stay true to our word." Opponents, including Representative Schmidt, argued the state should not compete with private business and raised questions about operating and ownership costs.

Representative Washer clarified the line "as much thereof as is available" was standard fiscal language; he said the practical maximum intended by the amendment was a transfer of $1 to permit releases from the previously appropriated account and that the amendment was not meant to expand funding beyond the existing appropriation. The House adopted that amendment on a roll-call vote (42 ayes, 19 no, 1 excused). The House also adopted a related amendment (division 2 of a later amendment) that authorized transferring $18 million out of a penitentiary subaccount for security systems (locks, man-down alarms, cameras) for facilities in several counties; that roll call passed (34 ayes, 27 no, 1 excused).

Supporters framed the measures as completing the intent of earlier actions and addressing employee safety at correctional facilities; critics warned of precedent and asked for more detailed operational cost analysis. The transcript shows the sponsor and others repeatedly emphasized these actions were transfers within accounts already established and did not require general-fund appropriations.

Ending: With the adopted amendments, Senate File 169 advanced with explicit transfers in place; the House recorded roll-call votes on both amendments and continued to other business.