Committee debates $750,000 efficiency study of Wyoming Department of Transportation; bill tabled

The House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee considered a committee‑sponsored bill to fund a $750,000 independent efficiency study of the Wyoming Department of Transportation, but the committee voted to table the measure after debate over scope, prior audits and funding sources.

The bill, described to the committee as a companion to other highway funding proposals, would authorize $750,000 to hire an independent contractor to review YDOT rules, policies and procedures; staffing distribution across the state; design and construction practices and specifications; and to collect an anonymous employee survey. The sponsor said the study was intended to ensure accountability before the Legislature considers appropriating large sums — figures discussed in the hearing ranged from about $70 million to as high as $170 million in potential annual transfers to the department.

The bill’s sponsor told the committee the study would produce a final report to the committee and the governor so lawmakers could consider legislative changes if needed. Darren Westby, director of the Wyoming Department of Transportation, told the committee YDOT would welcome a deep review and that the agency has undertaken prior reviews, including a previous independent study; he said the agency has also pursued internal management work to find efficiencies.

"We're not afraid of any efficiency study, any audit. We feel very secure in what we do," Westby said.

Several members pressed for specifics about what a study should include. Representative Nicholas urged an independent civil‑engineering review of YDOT project analyses — in particular, engineering determinations about when to perform surface repairs versus full bed or reconstruction — and suggested the study examine comparative funding levels used by other states. Representative Larson questioned whether another study would add new information beyond the Alvarez & Marsal review the committee received in 2017 and subsequent agency follow‑ups.

Committee members also debated whether the study should be funded from the general fund or the highway fund; YDOT testified that the original drafting tied the funding trigger to other bills and to a mix of funding sources, and the agency mentioned the possibility of taking funds from the highway fund rather than the general fund. Westby and committee members agreed more drafting work was necessary to resolve that point.

The committee first approved a motion to advance the bill (moved by Representative Goeringer, seconded by Representative Tarver). After a lengthy amendment discussion and a failed amendment offered by Representative Larson to substantially narrow the study’s scope, Representative Nicholas moved to table the bill; Representative Larson seconded the motion to table. On the roll call the committee recorded seven ayes and two noes, and the motion to table passed.

No further hearings on this bill were completed at the session. Committee members requested additional drafting and indicated they may revisit the bill after further work on scope, funding source and technical details such as vendor qualifications and timeline.

Votes at a glance: the motion to table the bill passed by roll call, 7–2.