Appropriations Committee advances K-12 facilities bill after local testimony and amendments

The House Appropriations Committee voted 7–0 to give House Bill 259, a supplemental K–12 school facilities appropriation, a do-pass recommendation after receiving public testimony from Sheridan County School District 2 and adopting several amendments.

Sheridan County facilities director Troy Decker testified to the committee about the district’s deferred maintenance needs, saying, “The school district has 25 buildings. We have 6 elementary schools, 2 high schools. We have a total of 834,000 square feet.” Decker told members the district’s most recent condition assessment identified $16,818,050 in expenditures through 2025 to address deferred maintenance and listed areas of concern including roofing, HVAC, pavements, playground equipment and an industrial dust collector used at the high school.

The committee’s vote followed debate over several floor amendments. Representative Vandergraff moved to add Campbell County High School and a transportation facility to the bill, citing safety and aging systems; Representative Sherwood seconded the motion. That amendment failed on a 3–4 vote. Representative Pendergraft explained his opposition as a concern about the long-term forecast and property-tax-related uncertainty.

Another amendment, offered by Representative Harrelson to provide $4,380,121 in design funding for the CECHS (career/early college high school) project to advance that design to a level‑3 stage, passed on a voice vote and was later incorporated into the bill. The committee then took a roll-call vote on House Bill 259 as amended. The clerk recorded: Representative Aleman — Aye; Representative Angelos — Aye; Representative Harrelson — Aye; Representative Pendergraft — Aye; Representative Sherwood — Aye; Representative Smith — Aye (via proxy); Chairman Bair — Aye. The bill was reported as do pass with amendments.

Decker said the district appreciates the committee’s consideration and noted specific project needs included in the bill (listed in the committee packet as sections 2‑6 and 2‑17). He also described a Sagebrush Elementary roof membrane nearing the end of its warranty and multiple advanced-technology lab machines that have increased demand on existing electrical and ventilation systems.

With House Bill 259 reported out, committee members said staff will divide duties for presenting the bill to the full body alongside other construction-related bills in the coming weeks.