[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6678926,"mediaKeyId","2374629-ccf7cac24429f2a6a3f5c961104ad013","parentId",2374629,"title","House committee advances small-business emergency bridge loan program to speed post-disaster recovery","audioSeconds",1667,"startMs",3783000,"endMs",5450000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374629-ccf7cac24429f2a6a3f5c961104ad013&start=3783&end=5450","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374629-ccf7cac24429f2a6a3f5c961104ad013/thumbnail_3783000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6678926/Wyoming/House-committee-advances-small-business-emergency-bridge-loan-program-to-speed-post-disaster-recovery","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6678926-0805b6c6e8a09faaeb6b205f003ab9dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157763&Signature=ns94eiDDIteuGZ5di1e-sesg8Sn8Iu4H~WUMpsAc5EqG6FzfljB0J7sqxB68BrU8S5Fv3muaoABz1KlEQO6bsCDPoe82D3o1H4clCRNCmPPA7UAQJ1gkaWIg8x6xoJT4o1eldTiAKldI~pfCcxqUdTbLF~M0YO7sIxYWkr5hwtSqs3YxPIZ6tohHfmeVvQyVGLNWa2oBJbOgRNghbLvLZFoQmzojDQSoko7RRGLHWTXxS-lHZKt6OpRFpY6mBeTcbq3zTXeb3fg3TIXqYHpb7cj8sgUQ4aWTAsoXZBSed~9GJ14BSRQHVGce89Kt2MGwNrzzjFDCTk5I8bPaaAy5gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wyoming Legislature","date","2025-02-22T00:27:54.247Z","article","The Committee of the Whole reported Senate File 195 do pass after lawmakers approved standing committee amendments that broadened eligibility from agricultural producers to all Wyoming businesses affected by a declared natural disaster and placed the appropriation in a state investment account.

Senate File 195 would create a Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program in the Office of State Lands and Investments (OSLI) that becomes available when the governor declares a natural disaster in an affected area. The program is designed to get short-term capital into the hands of Wyoming businesses to avoid operational disruption during recovery, using voluntary donations to a dedicated fund to offset some borrower costs.

Under the bill’s terms discussed on the floor, a qualifying business must have been operating in Wyoming at the time of the disaster and be at least 50% owned by the applicant; lenders will vet applications for creditworthiness and collateral. Loans may be secured with insurance proceeds or other business assets; the maximum loan amount is $750,000 per business, and repayment must occur within three years. The bill establishes a 2% origination fee to compensate participating financial institutions for processing (the applicant is required to pay half of that fee), and the statutory language contemplates a mechanism for donated funds to reduce the borrower's interest costs on a pro rata basis. The program includes an annual reporting requirement by OSLI and the Joint Agriculture Committee (JAC). An appropriation for the fund appears in the engrossed bill; during debate members noted a discrepancy between the fiscal note (which listed $50,000,000) and the bill's appropriation as passed in the other chamber (shown as $25,000,000 on the enrolled text).

Supporters said the measure gives businesses rapid access to capital after fires, floods or infrastructure failure without turning to grants. Representative Heiner moved that the Committee of the Whole report Senate File 195 do pass and described the bill as a \"hand up, not a handout,\" emphasizing lender involvement and fast processing: lenders review and forward complete applications to OSLI and OSLI has five days to disperse funds once the application is recommended. Representative Connolly, who has experience in emergency management, supported the bill and praised the donation option for simplifying charitable giving in a disaster. Representative Storer asked about fiscal details and repayment/default procedures; the sponsor explained that lending institutions are expected to vet collateral and that the program’s structure relies on that vetting to limit state exposure. The committee adopted two standing committee amendments: one opened eligibility from ag-only to all impacted businesses and another placed the appropriation into the state’s investment account (LISRA) so the funds can remain invested until needed.

Formal votes recorded in the transcript: standing committee amendment number 1 was adopted; standing committee amendment number 2 (moving the appropriation into the LISRA/subaccount) was adopted; the Committee of the Whole reported Senate File 195 do pass and the bill was recorded as passed by the Committee of the Whole.

Key program provisions noted in debate:
- Administrator: Office of State Lands and Investments (OSLI) will implement rules, accept applications and disperse repayments.
- Eligibility: business must have been operating in the disaster area at time of disaster; at least 50% owned by applicant; certain categories (loan packaging, short-term rentals, multi-level sales, gambling, lending activities or activities violating law) are excluded.
- Loan terms: up to $750,000; maximum repayment period three years; loans may be secured by insurance proceeds or business assets; lenders perform credit/collateral review; 2% origination fee shared between lenders, applicant and fund.
- Funding: appropriation shown in engrossed bill; debate noted the fiscal note initially listed $50 million while the engrossed bill shows $25 million; funds can accept donations and will report annually.

Next steps: The Committee of the Whole forwarded Senate File 195 with adopted amendments for further House consideration.

Ending: Supporters framed the program as a rapid-response financing option to preserve businesses and jobs after disasters; lawmakers pressed for clarity on fiscal assumptions and the role of lenders in limiting state exposure.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Floor Session-Day 28, February 21, 2025-PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Committee of the Whole reported Senate File 195 do pass after lawmakers approved standing committee amendments that broadened eligibility from agricultural producers to all Wyoming businesses affected by a declared natural disaster and placed the appropriation in a state investment account.","taxTitle","House of Representative, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming","taxId",30484,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6678929,"Wyoming House Committee advances bill to print party affiliation next to school board candidates on general ballots",3601,99000,3700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374629-ccf7cac24429f2a6a3f5c961104ad013&start=99&end=3700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374629-ccf7cac24429f2a6a3f5c961104ad013/thumbnail_99000.jpg","/articles/6678929/Wyoming/Wyoming-House-Committee-advances-bill-to-print-party-affiliation-next-to-school-board-candidates-on-general-ballots","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6678929-069546bbe9f0a01c6c4d7520c9b99c5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157763&Signature=nswOnDnP70BVRLfrPlR0zVu4uQBUl4ZaG~fSqqiP5QosmCsOu5sC6UVbfNq3L1K5H6~pyzRPRKAbFsWqwIhpv4uknLOjzBTDfEkS5~8Xt3ssE5zICPgWEx7JIy3A6NkePpVrdOkVupcQ0141Pfm1FahG6h-DT9VlUpi8uOZXRscaSzh-5wuZSL4nMZ-9czBnSkZiByv0DyA5P0wKBIk09hqXHdCYdPy4QQOiyyWpju6SCY~4rG-Sf5usmxsUWgmyexNqCD1C~MDXFrxNGy80l0R5cuctNuhzz5BfHv3BONa~IiHV40m9vdro1s0jRhqeGrOvQSJsZYCckwIvf9RQ8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee of the Whole advanced Senate File 98 on a party-affiliation label for school board candidates, approving amendments that require party names to appear on the general-election ballot while carving out space for unaffiliated candidates.

Supporters said the change would give voters an additional cue in low-turnout local contests; opponents said it risks injecting national partisan conflicts into local education governance. The committee passed a standing committee amendment and a committee-of-the-whole amendment to clarify registration timing and to allow an \"Independent\" label for unaffiliated candidates.

Proponents argued party labels help voters. Representative Andrew, who explained the bill to the body, said the proposal responds to low turnout and limited voter knowledge in school-board contests and noted that \"having a party affiliation printed on the ballot helps people know a little more about the views that each candidate for these positions are aligned with.\" Opponents warned that listing party affiliation could discourage independent or nonaligned community members from running. Representative Chesty, who offered the committee-of-the-whole amendment to protect unaffiliated candidates, warned that the bill \"compels speech\" and said candidates who are independent \"should be allowed to run for school board.\" Representative Yen pressed technical questions about when party affiliation would be locked for the ballot, and the bill was amended to make clear that party affiliation appears on the general-election ballot only and that registration/blackout-period rules determine which affiliation is printed.

Key changes adopted in committee included: a standing committee amendment to conform form and timing language so community college trustee forms remain nonpartisan while school-board forms show party; and a committee-of-the-whole amendment inserting the phrase \"if any\" and directing that independent candidates be listed as \"Independent\". A recorded vote on the standing committee amendment was taken by division and the amendment passed 32–8. The Committee of the Whole later approved the committee-of-the-whole amendment and then reported the bill as passed by the Committee of the Whole (committee tally announced as 27–25).

Lawmakers who spoke in favor included representatives who said party labels provide useful voter information and encourage ideological balance on local boards; lawmakers opposed emphasized local variation across districts and the risk that party labels would deter qualified candidates in some communities. Several speakers noted legal and practical implications—Representative Provenza pointed to federal employment rules that can bar some federal employees from participating in partisan races; Representative Harrelson and others emphasized that the bill affects only the general-election ballot and does not place candidates on primary party ballots.

What’s next: The Committee of the Whole forwarded Senate File 98 with the adopted amendments to the full House for further action.

Votes and formal actions recorded in the transcript:
- Standing committee amendment number 1: adopted (division recorded) 32 yes, 8 no.
- Committee of the Whole Amendment number 1 (added language protecting independents): adopted (recorded as passed).
- Final Committee of the Whole report on Senate File 98: reported as passed by committee of the whole, tally read as 27 yes, 25 no.

Speakers quoted or paraphrased in this article spoke during debate on Senate File 98 in the Committee of the Whole session and are listed in the article’s speaker roster.

Ending: The bill’s supporters said it aims to provide ballot transparency for voters in low-profile races; opponents said it risks importing partisan dynamics to school governance. The House will consider the committee-reported bill with its adopted amendments in a subsequent floor action.","Lawmakers debated whether listing party affiliation on school board general-election ballots would improve voter information or politicize local education; committee amendments added protections for independents and registration timing; the Committee of the Whole passed the bill after recorded votes on amendments.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6678919,"Committee of the Whole advances a package of bills on rules review, protection orders, sage grouse mitigation and other measures",5248,3276000,8524000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374629-ccf7cac24429f2a6a3f5c961104ad013&start=3276&end=8524","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374629-ccf7cac24429f2a6a3f5c961104ad013/thumbnail_3276000.jpg","/articles/6678919/Wyoming/Committee-of-the-Whole-advances-a-package-of-bills-on-rules-review-protection-orders-sage-grouse-mitigation-and-other-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6678919-ce390d1321bd4fe4ced07ab68a97c1c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157763&Signature=olFaTZbieoTcraVRU-xJ8TgNEQrucF7XkLAXUDsSWVsWZBp6TM-4t7DZTriiKr-Qh7AijRUREeCnwyBJpwXQZhIF-gLZ87YH5q11aYMOVBjtAKwhfRuvIxA9o-g4KJf4nfQBE~y3DTrfQK~~Alftjwf1-Y04DzkdyQiKommJQAEl2E7iJTtOMeOpsNJG1-EcdWnloE7KwxPcL7pys~sXZHsZEO9~4LJYwerhw3h6ETQO7ZImpq05B-AojVaXY1OaHiRqAnrfteVmtvwJQdTGAE3mkUbh9rqMCfdXDmdb67nGKyRT7wPT4efZbiw87448C~wbql~OzP1HnI~6gSsC7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee of the Whole considered and reported multiple Senate bills with committee recommendations and standing committee amendments. Several measures received brief floor explanations and were advanced without extended individual debate.

Highlights from the session’s package:

- Senate File 127 (administrative rules, legislative review): The bill directs the Legislative Services Office to prepare regulatory-impact analyses for proposed \"major rules,\" defines \"major rule\" with economic and social-impact thresholds and calls for a legislative management/audit interim study to assess implementation. The bill includes a $400,000 appropriation for two full-time LSO positions and a delayed start for the review process (language indicated review to begin July 1, 2026).

- Senate File 7 (protection-order amendments): The bill expands court-appointed legal representation for indigent victims under 21 and extends the hearing scheduling window on protection orders from 72 hours to up to 10 days; it also allows extended protection orders to be mailed to the respondent’s last-known mailing address in some circumstances.

- Senate File 8 (protection orders effective during appeal or review): A companion bill clarifies that protection orders remain in effect during an appeal or review unless the court stays the order.

- Senate File 179 (sage-grouse compensatory mitigation amendments): The bill authorizes the Land Board to amend rules to allow on-the-ground mitigation options—such as vegetation treatment or water projects—instead of mandatory purchase of mitigation credits in certain circumstances.

- Senate File 79 (change of venue in civil litigation): The bill allows courts to transfer cases filed in improper venue to the correct venue rather than dismissing and forcing refiling; it preserves original filing date to protect statute-of-limitations concerns and authorizes judicial-branch rulemaking.

- Senate File 39 (automatic transfer of motor vehicle title upon death): The bill creates a statutorily recognized recorded form to permit simple transfer of an automobile title at death without probate in some small-estate circumstances; the standing committee used conforming language and required a certified death certificate for transfer.

Other bills read and reported by committee included bills on small-business emergency loans (SF195—covered in a separate article), sage-grouse mitigation (SF179), trust and investment items, teacher certification (SF86), and appropriation-related bills. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted by the House and the enrolled acts signing and concurrence process followed later in the session.

Votes and formal actions: The Committee of the Whole read and reported multiple bills (see transcript committee report list). Where recorded tallies were announced during debate, they are noted in the individual bill articles (for example, SF98 and SF195 had recorded division votes or committee tallies). For the bills in this roundup, committee reports and standing-committee amendments were adopted as announced on the floor and the Committee of the Whole reported the bills do pass as listed.

Ending: Many bills were advanced by the Committee of the Whole in a single session, prompting several standing-committee and follow-up items and an interim study directive on the administrative-rules review measure. Lawmakers instructed staff to prepare rulemaking and fiscal clarifications as they proceed through the House process.","The Committee of the Whole reported several bills do pass with little extended debate: administrative-rule review (SF127), protection order changes (SF7, SF8), sage-grouse mitigation (SF179), change-of-venue reform (SF79), automatic title transfer on death (SF39), and others; standing committee reports and recommendations were read and adopted.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6678922,"House committee backs limits on eminent-domain use for private energy collector systems, sets compensation and consent thresholds",1396,7104000,8500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2374629-ccf7cac24429f2a6a3f5c961104ad013&start=7104&end=8500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2374629-ccf7cac24429f2a6a3f5c961104ad013/thumbnail_7104000.jpg","/articles/6678922/Wyoming/House-committee-backs-limits-on-eminent-domain-use-for-private-energy-collector-systems-sets-compensation-and-consent-thresholds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6678922-6d456dd789ec3aa41f237c3366b0dc5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157763&Signature=NxTdjVSicOH3QksD6~80YMMEet~yg1E1s052ZrfGZ1PpAh6bcEObm8FYnuOwJ0W7KrgD98BOI7DR0Xhw62tUWcBnST-7zuqLwgltlxrBJdHuJ0GdB2Zu69~rban2-Hcn2-eUh3SfQ6rDY7NIBXAQf15-FdMNeEZlCQd3lHGcWY86OWD8OignK2wzS~5zsYmXaJzSVpLe2QVwi9uy~0JC89IhbNJ4Z5NTJWu6cUF1oYh-d6xA53-jV7udBEliP33NqxeHi65toa65y7t~g61A0rvGl29uchtlbNWw-xd1J61ovq~7CV0EtDiYWj3UUiQYBQ5P0jZNEEG3vVWPW5x4JA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee of the Whole advanced Senate File 181 after floor debate about private use of eminent domain to site energy-collection infrastructure associated with commercial electricity generators.

Senate File 181 changes Wyoming’s eminent-domain framework for energy-collector systems associated with commercial generating facilities. The bill specifies compensation standards for condemned property, requires proof of compliance and notice before condemnation, sets conditions for using existing easements to place additional collector infrastructure, and adds contract language requirements addressing liability and reclamation. The bill exempts entities that hold a certificate of public convenience and necessity and excludes energy-collection systems that began serving load or exporting energy from Wyoming before July 1, 2025.

A principal change discussed on the floor reduces the threshold for a supermajority measure from an earlier draft to two-thirds (66%) for certain approvals referenced in the bill’s negotiation framework. Supporters argued the bill balances landowner protections with necessary siting of infrastructure; Representative Banks said the measure places sideboards on eminent-domain use and \"is putting sideboards on this practice to protect our private property rights.\" Opponents described the proposal as insufficient to protect owners; Representative Johnson urged a no vote, comparing eminent-domain expansion to a takeover of private property rights.

The bill contains definitions for \"energy collector system\" (conductors, towers, substations and related components up to but excluding interconnection facilities) and for \"commercial facility generating electricity\" (any facility that sells electricity). It prevents a commercial facility’s constructor from using an existing easement agreement to place additional collector systems unless the original easement explicitly contemplates enlargement or the parties renegotiate; otherwise the condemnor must obtain a separate easement. Orders granting easements must include provisions on liability for damages and reclamation obligations.

Lawmakers debated tradeoffs and local impacts. Representative Eklund noted the bill was the result of multiple years' work and described it as an attempt to find a workable balance after contentious local cases; Representative Kelly said the bill did not go far enough but represented progress. After discussion the Committee of the Whole reported the bill as passed.

Ending: The bill advances statutory guardrails on eminent-domain use for private energy infrastructure while leaving unresolved questions about property-rights protections for some landowners; additional floor action will follow.

(For the record: the article paraphrases debate comments from the Committee of the Whole; vote tallies recorded in the transcript are summarized in the actions section.)","Lawmakers passed Senate File 181 to impose conditions on use of eminent domain for private energy-collector systems, including two-thirds consent language, requirements for separate easements, liability and reclamation clauses, and exemptions for public utilities and preexisting projects; the bill drew sharp floor debate over property rights.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House committee advances small-business emergency bridge loan program to speed post-disaster recovery

Wyoming House Committee advances bill to print party affiliation next to school board candidates on general ballots

Committee of the Whole advances a package of bills on rules review, protection orders, sage grouse mitigation and other measures

House committee backs limits on eminent-domain use for private energy collector systems, sets compensation and consent thresholds