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Committee rejects bill to create a community-college veteran-services position, opts to draft alternative
Summary
Lawmakers debated a bill authorizing a full-time veteran-services position at the Wyoming Community College Commission and an initial appropriation of $100,512; the committee voted not to sponsor the bill and instead directed staff to draft an alternative that would add ex officio veteran representatives to governing bodies.
A bill to authorize a full-time veteran-services and fundraising position at the Wyoming Community College Commission failed to gain committee support Thursday after an extended debate about cost, scope and whether the authorization should instead be handled via the budget process.
Talise Hanson of the Legislative Service Office presented bill draft 25 LSO 79, which would authorize one position at the Community College Commission to coordinate veteran services and pursue fundraising for veterans' supports at Wyoming Community Colleges and University of Wyoming campuses outside Laramie. The draft included a first-year appropriation of $100,512 (for the 07/01/2025—6/30/2026 period) supplied to the committee by the commission.
University and community college witnesses described significant differences in capacity across campuses and said the University of Wyoming has a well-developed veteran services center and a successful fundraising track record, while many community colleges lack dedicated staff. "This position ... would provide an opportunity for us to be able to spend the time to go find who the donors are," said a Community College Commission representative.
Opponents on the committee argued the measure would grow state headcount at a time of fiscal constraint and urged exploring internal reallocations, a budget footnote, or a different statutory vehicle. Representative Pendergraft said he supported the goal but not adding a permanent state position and appropriation: "If a program is worth funding, send in a request for an appropriation," he said.
On roll call the committee declined to sponsor the bill. Afterward the committee passed a motion to draft an alternative bill directing the director of the state Veterans Commission to appoint one ex officio veteran representative to the University of Wyoming board of trustees and one ex officio veteran representative to the Community College Commission; the committee asked staff to produce that draft for its next meeting and to solicit additional detail on fundraising options, timelines and capacity.
The committee also requested that university and commission staff supply detailed estimates of how many veterans are enrolled in relevant programs and how a loan-repayment or grant program might be administered before any future appropriation decision.
