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Committee advances SF 46 to raise bid threshold for water, sewer (and irrigation) districts
Summary
The Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee amended and passed Senate File 46 to raise competitive-bid thresholds for water and sewer districts to $75,000 and, by amendment, apply the same threshold to irrigation districts; the bill passed the committee by roll call (9–0).
Senate File 46, a bill to raise competitive-bid thresholds for water and sewer districts, passed the Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee after an amendment to include irrigation districts and a roll call vote of 9–0.
Sponsor Bill Landon (Senate District 27) told the committee the bill would extend the higher $75,000 bid limit that was previously raised for municipalities to special districts that operate water and sewer systems. "It really...would help with the speed and with the administrative burden that it puts on these little smaller districts," Landon said, describing short construction seasons and time-sensitive maintenance needs.
Mark Pepper, executive director of the Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems, testified in support, saying the change would provide fairness, flexibility and cost-effectiveness for roughly 200 special districts statewide. "At a $30,000 range, the bid process just adds a bureaucratic layer of cost," Pepper said, estimating that many routine repairs fall in the $30,000–$75,000 range and noting that 92% of community water systems in Wyoming serve populations under 500.
Minority Leader Yin offered and moved an amendment to add irrigation districts (House Bill 70 language) and to adjust the bill title as needed; Representative Webb seconded the amendment. The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote.
Representative Johnson moved SF 46 as amended, seconded by Representative Brown. The committee then took a roll-call vote: Representative Brown — Aye; Representative Heft — Aye; Representative Johnson — Aye; Representative Lucas — Aye; Representative Webb — Aye; Representative Weber — Aye; Representative Yin — Aye; Representative Locke submitted an absentee vote of Aye; Chairman Knapp — Aye. The chair announced nine ayes and the bill passed the committee.
The sponsor said the bill language amends districts' powers and contains minor cleanup language; no council or floor date was set during the committee hearing.
The committee closed public testimony after Pepper and carried SF 46 out of committee as amended.
