Committee backs statewide Imagination Library program, approves $320,000 appropriation as amended

CHEYENNE — The Senate Education Committee on Jan. 15 passed Senate File 14 as amended to establish a statewide Wyoming Imagination Library program that would partner with a nonprofit to mail books monthly to children from birth through age 5 and provide a 50% state match to local affiliate costs.

Representative Yen, sponsor, told the committee the program would ensure “every single month, starting at birth, they get a book at no cost to the family,” and said a statewide structure would help smaller counties access the program without creating separate local nonprofit structures.

Samuel Wolf, who testified on behalf of the Dollywood Foundation program, told the committee: “We currently have 7,000 children in Wyoming registered in the program, which is about 22% of the total eligible population.” Wolf said the program model sends one book per month from birth until a child turns 5 and that the draft appropriation of $320,000 is intended to cover 50% of the local cost for books and mailing; the foundation would cover overhead and fulfill publishing and mailing arrangements.

Committee members and witnesses discussed administrative details and fiscal assumptions. Wolf said a full‑time state director position was budgeted by the foundation at about $125,000 in salary, but the WDE’s administrative impact note had contemplated a half‑time contract equivalent (roughly $40,000) and the $320,000 draft appropriation on the bill was primarily for books and mailing. WDE presenter Shelley Hamill confirmed the department’s fiscal note contemplated a half‑time position on contract and said the $320,000 figure in the draft was intended to fund book distribution, not the staff position.

Senator Michael Scott raised a technical constitutional concern about appropriations made to outside entities and proposed an amendment to clarify that the appropriation would flow to a Department of Education account established in the bill; the committee adopted clarifying language that the $320,000 be appropriated “from the general fund to the Wyoming Department of Education account created in section 1 of this act.” The amendment was approved by voice vote.

Public testimony was mixed. Supporters said the program expands early literacy access, while opponents warned about state spending and questioned selection of books. Patricia McCoy of Moms for Liberty testified in opposition, saying the program should not be a state responsibility and raising questions about book selection and parent control.

The committee voted to pass SF 14 as amended. Roll call showed four ayes and one no (Senator Brennan). Senator Olson, Senator Rothfuss, Senator Scott and Chairwoman Schueller voted aye; Senator Brennan recorded a no. The bill advances to the floor with the department designated to administer the established program account.

What the bill does and next steps

- Establishes a Wyoming Imagination Library program, creates a program account in section 1 of the bill, and authorizes a 50% state match of local affiliate costs for books and mailing. - Draft appropriation: $320,000 from the general fund to the Wyoming Department of Education account created in section 1; proponents and the department will reconcile the fiscal note and administrative details before floor action.

Ending

Committee members asked proponents to work with WDE on updated fiscal and administrative documentation before the bill reaches the appropriations and floor stages.