Appropriations panel hears LSO on biennial legislative budget, approves bill

The House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 17 advanced the legislature’s biannual budget after a line-by-line briefing from the Legislative Service Office.

Matt Obrecht of the LSO told the committee the "above-the-line" appropriation for legislative operations over the next two fiscal years is $26,118,778, including LSO staff, session and interim legislator pay, session staff and employer-paid benefits. He said below-the-line items total $571,100, producing a biennial legislative total of $26,689,878. "The total amount in this budget bill for those the next 2 fiscal years are $26,118,778," Obrecht said.

Committee members questioned several line items, including travel, member dues to national groups and a subscription for regional economic modeling. Obrecht described section 9 as "a subscription and maintenance fees for a regional economic analysis modeling software" that will permit county-level modeling and expedite fiscal notes. He stated the biennial price for the subscription as "$492,001,100 dollars," and said management council had considered a lower-cost statewide-only option.

Representatives probed whether interim travel funds covered staff as well as members and whether contingency FTEs included in the bill would be expended if Wyoming Public Television continued to broadcast meetings. Obrecht said interim travel appropriations cover staff and that creation of any new FTE would require management council approval.

After questions, Representative Harrelson moved the bill "do pass" and Representative Sherwood seconded; a roll call showed the committee in favor. The committee appointed Representative Harrelson to carry the bill on the floor, with Chairman Bair as backup.

The committee’s approval advances Senate File 2 to the next stage of consideration.