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Committee approves specialty rodeo license plate to raise funds for college rodeo programs
Summary
Lawmakers approved Senate File 121 to create a rodeo specialty license plate and added an amendment requiring a $20 donation to university and community college rodeo programs, producing a $50 plate fee; the bill passed committee unanimously.
The Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee approved Senate File 121 to create a specialty "rodeo" license plate to support collegiate rodeo programs at the University of Wyoming and community colleges.
Senator Bonner presented the bill as modeled on existing donor license plates. He described the plate as a way to "raise funds for those rodeo programs" and said the Department of Transportation would produce the design and could make plates available by Jan. 1, 2026, if the bill passes.
Committee amendment and final vote
Representative Johnson moved an amendment to increase the specialty plate fee and to direct an additional flat donation to college rodeo programs. The Department of Transportation representative told the committee that current statute sets a specialty plate fee that covers production costs; the DOT said production start‑up costs are modest and that an additional specified donation could be added to direct money to college rodeo programs. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill on a 9‑0 roll call.
Why it matters: the bill creates a voluntary, revenue‑generating specialty plate that supporters said will both promote rodeo as the state's sport and provide a funding stream for university and community college rodeo teams.
Details
Under the committee amendment approved in committee, the plate fee was adjusted so that purchasers pay a higher flat specialty plate fee and $20 of that amount is designated for collegiate rodeo programs; purchasers may make additional donations. Lacey Bruckner of the Wyoming Department of Transportation told members the department can administer and produce the plates and make them available by the January 2026 date in the bill.
Committee action
Motion: committee moved Senate File 121 with the amendment; roll call was recorded as nine ayes, zero noes.
Next steps: the bill will continue through the legislative process to the next house or floor consideration with the committee amendment included.
