The state treasurer’s office told the Joint Appropriations Committee Thursday it submitted a letter, pursuant to legislative direction, requesting an appropriation from the Land and School Resources Account (LSRA) to reimburse the University of Wyoming Capital Projects account.

Treasury staff said the authority stems from the 2023 capital construction bill, which included a $120 million appropriation for Corbett Pool, West Sands and student housing at the University of Wyoming. Under the statute and the implementation language in that bill, the university draws requests to the auditor; when the auditor seeks reimbursement from the UW Capital Projects Account Fund, the treasurer is directed to request an appropriation from LSRA under the bill’s subsection structure.

Treasury representatives at the table identified themselves as the chief financial officer Katie Smith and general counsel Bill Pilger. They said the current request is the first draw under the 2023 appropriation and that, according to the bill’s language, the maximum the university may request under the appropriation is $75 million and that requests are limited to $40 million per year. Based on that structure, treasury staff said they expect a subsequent request next year for the remaining approximate $35 million.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about timing and amounts; treasury staff confirmed the office was following the statutory and auditor guidance in bringing the executive letter to the committee for consideration. No formal action was taken Thursday; members thanked the treasurer’s representatives and moved on to other agenda items.