Appropriations committee advances repeal of Wyoming Business Council after hours of debate and amendments

The Joint Appropriations Committee voted to advance 26LSO394, a bill that would repeal the Wyoming Business Council and transfer most of its programs and assets to other state agencies, after extended technical review, public testimony and a series of amendments.

LSO staffer Mister Fuller, who presented the draft, told the committee the bill was written broadly to capture programs, assets, obligations and conforming amendments; non‑codified sections were drafted to take effect immediately to prevent the council from accepting new applications. Fuller said the repeal would take full effect on 07/01/2026, with many functions and funds to be transferred to the state budget department or, for two programs, to the Wyoming Energy Authority. He told members the bill creates a handful of exceptions (for example, a broadband subaccount that would be moved to the governor’s office) and includes reporting and wind‑up requirements for outstanding loans, grants and obligations.

Why it matters: the measure would dissolve an agency that has administered revolving investment funds, grants and loan programs for more than two…