Committee backs joint resolution asking Congress to boost Wyoming's share of federal mineral royalties to 87.5%
October 11, 2025 | Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee, Select Committees & Task Force, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee voted 6–0 on July 1 to move a joint resolution asking Congress to increase Wyoming’s share of Federal Mineral Leasing royalties.
Talise Hansen of LSO presented the draft, telling the committee the resolution would request Congress “to introduce a bill and enact law to increase the state of Wyoming share of federal mineral royalties from 50% to x x percent.” LSO staff explained that the current statutory structure (30 U.S.C. §191(a) with the 2% administrative reduction) effectively leaves the state with about 48% in many cases after the federal administrative fee. The draft asks the state’s congressional delegation to seek a larger share.
Amendment and rationale: Members discussed the target percentage and noted a prior letter from Appropriations leadership that had requested split figures; the committee adopted the 87.5% (state) / 12.5% (federal) split as the number to include in the draft resolution. Sponsors said the request mirrors prior communications seeking a higher state share to offset revenue reductions tied to recent federal royalty-rate changes.
Fiscal context: LSO’s summary noted that the 1 Big Beautiful Bill changed federal royalty rates (cited changes to oil, gas and coal rates) and that estimates included in the draft projected multi-year reductions to state receipts tied to those rate changes. Committee members noted the estimates are sensitive to production assumptions and that increased production would alter projected shortfalls.
Vote: On a roll call the committee recorded six ayes: Senator Dockstader (aye), Senator Larson (aye), Representative Davis (aye), Representative Erickson (aye), a cochair (aye) and Chairman Wharfe (aye). The committee recorded the bill draft as 26LSO0166, “Federal Mineral Royalty — state share,” and moved it forward as amended to request an 87.5% state share.
Next steps: LSO will incorporate the numeric share into the draft and staff will circulate the revised resolution. Committee members said they would reinforce prior outreach to the congressional delegation.
Talise Hansen of LSO presented the draft, telling the committee the resolution would request Congress “to introduce a bill and enact law to increase the state of Wyoming share of federal mineral royalties from 50% to x x percent.” LSO staff explained that the current statutory structure (30 U.S.C. §191(a) with the 2% administrative reduction) effectively leaves the state with about 48% in many cases after the federal administrative fee. The draft asks the state’s congressional delegation to seek a larger share.
Amendment and rationale: Members discussed the target percentage and noted a prior letter from Appropriations leadership that had requested split figures; the committee adopted the 87.5% (state) / 12.5% (federal) split as the number to include in the draft resolution. Sponsors said the request mirrors prior communications seeking a higher state share to offset revenue reductions tied to recent federal royalty-rate changes.
Fiscal context: LSO’s summary noted that the 1 Big Beautiful Bill changed federal royalty rates (cited changes to oil, gas and coal rates) and that estimates included in the draft projected multi-year reductions to state receipts tied to those rate changes. Committee members noted the estimates are sensitive to production assumptions and that increased production would alter projected shortfalls.
Vote: On a roll call the committee recorded six ayes: Senator Dockstader (aye), Senator Larson (aye), Representative Davis (aye), Representative Erickson (aye), a cochair (aye) and Chairman Wharfe (aye). The committee recorded the bill draft as 26LSO0166, “Federal Mineral Royalty — state share,” and moved it forward as amended to request an 87.5% state share.
Next steps: LSO will incorporate the numeric share into the draft and staff will circulate the revised resolution. Committee members said they would reinforce prior outreach to the congressional delegation.
View full meeting
This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.
View full meeting