CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Senate Education Committee on Feb. 14 voted unanimously to approve House Bill 17, which raises the per-award cap for Career and Technical Education (CTE) equipment grants from $50,000 to $75,000 and shortens the eligibility look-back period for prior expenditures from five years to two years.

Wanda Maloney, chief policy officer at the Wyoming Department of Education, told the committee the change does not increase total program funding but reallocates per-award availability. "If you look at the wording, you'll notice on page 2, line 1, it would change the amount allocated from $50,000 to $75,000," Maloney said. She said the overall annual pool for CTE grants related to equipment is about $500,000.

Why it matters: School districts told committee members that the cost of specialized equipment has risen and that a higher per-award cap would better match typical equipment requests. Supporters said the shorter look-back period could make more districts eligible, particularly smaller districts that need to carry funds across fewer years to purchase larger items.

What the bill does

- Raises the maximum award for the demonstration/equipment grant from $50,000 to $75,000.

- Shortens the statutory look-back period for prior district expenditures from five years to two years when determining eligibility for the grant.

- Does not change the overall level of statewide funding for the grants (testimony cited roughly $500,000 currently used for these grants).

Support and testimony

Wanda Maloney, Department of Education chief policy officer, said districts often request equipment that exceeds the $50,000 cap; she cited examples such as large shop equipment where individual items can approach or exceed current caps. Jesse Defoe, with the Wyoming Association for Career and Technical Education, told the committee "60% of our open jobs currently are CTE related," arguing the state needs to invest to prepare students for in-demand jobs.

Business and labor stakeholders voiced support. Kelly Little of the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming and Renny McKay of the Wyoming Business Alliance said the change helps supply the workforce with trained graduates and cited workforce shortages that make such investment important. Kelly Carpenter of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation also testified in favor, highlighting agricultural workforce needs.

Program details and administration

The Department of Education said districts applying for grants must show a proposal linking equipment to workforce needs, a plan and timeline, and assurances of facility readiness. Department staff also said they currently prioritize awards to districts that have not recently received the grant.

Several witnesses and committee members discussed the 29% local CTE allocation that districts may spend on equipment and supplies; witnesses said smaller districts in particular sometimes need flexibility to bank funds across years to purchase larger items.

Action and next steps

The committee voted to pass House Bill 17. Senators voting aye on the roll call were Brennan, Olson, Rothfuss, Scott and Chairwoman Schueller (5 ayes). The bill passed the committee without amendment and will move forward for further legislative consideration.