House committee raises CTE equipment grant cap to $75,000 and advances bill
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CHEYENNE — The House Education Committee voted 9-0 on Jan. 15, 2025, to approve House Bill 17, a committee bill that raises the maximum career and technical education (CTE) equipment and supplies grant from $50,000 to $75,000 per year and adjusts eligibility rules intended to make the award easier for districts to use.
The change is intended to help school districts, particularly smaller and rural districts, buy expensive equipment — items proponents cited included a woodturning lathe, a greenhouse, and other specialty machines. Jenna Berlohith, college, career and accountability supervisor at the Wyoming Department of Education, told the committee the increased cap would allow a district that requested the maximum to receive up to $150,000 over a two-year span.
"We've raised it from $50,000 to $75,000 per year," Representative Lolly said while describing the bill and the amendments the committee considered during the interim. "So what the goal was here is to continue to make it possible for districts — and honestly, in some ways, particularly smaller districts — to be able to get additional money for equipment and supplies."
Proponents emphasized that the change alters grant parameters but does not expand the total fund pool. "This does not change the pool of money that's already set aside," Rob Hill, public policy director for the Wyoming Association for Career and Technical Education, said. He explained that one eligibility change in the bill shortens a prior five-year "look-back" period to two years for districts reporting full expenditure of a specific 29 percent allotment for material, supplies and equipment — a change intended to increase the number of districts that qualify for the award.
Local education and business groups voiced support during public comment. Boyd Brown, executive director of the Wyoming Association of School Administrators, said grants let smaller districts buy tools they otherwise would take years to afford. Renny McKay, president of the Wyoming Business Alliance, told the committee that businesses across the state face substantial workforce shortages and that stronger CTE helps supply employers with skilled workers. Other supporters included the Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees, the Wyoming Mining Association and the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming.
Committee members asked for clarifications about how the grant differs from a block grant and what kinds of programs are eligible. Representative Lolly said the program is a targeted, application-based grant that requires districts to document how the money was used for equipment and supplies — unlike the broader block grant model where local priorities can vary.
The committee made no substantive amendments on the floor after public comment. Vice Chair Martha Lawley moved to advance the bill; Representative Tommy Strack seconded the motion. The committee called the roll: Representatives Bratton, Erickson, Guggenmoss, Kelly, Lolly, Singh, Strack, Williams and Chairman Ocean Andrew all voted "aye." The committee chair announced, "You have 9 ayes," and declared the bill passed out of committee.
The bill will move next to the full House for further consideration. Department staff said the Superintendent's strategic plan supports strengthening CTE and that the department has produced a comparison chart showing differences between the state's two CTE grants.
Votes at a glance:
House Bill 17 — Career Technical Education Equipment Grants Amendments: motion "Use the bill," moved by Vice Chair Martha Lawley; seconded by Representative Tommy Strack. Committee roll call vote: 9 ayes, 0 noes. Outcome: passed the committee.
The change is intended to help school districts, particularly smaller and rural districts, buy expensive equipment — items proponents cited included a woodturning lathe, a greenhouse, and other specialty machines. Jenna Berlohith, college, career and accountability supervisor at the Wyoming Department of Education, told the committee the increased cap would allow a district that requested the maximum to receive up to $150,000 over a two-year span.
"We've raised it from $50,000 to $75,000 per year," Representative Lolly said while describing the bill and the amendments the committee considered during the interim. "So what the goal was here is to continue to make it possible for districts — and honestly, in some ways, particularly smaller districts — to be able to get additional money for equipment and supplies."
Proponents emphasized that the change alters grant parameters but does not expand the total fund pool. "This does not change the pool of money that's already set aside," Rob Hill, public policy director for the Wyoming Association for Career and Technical Education, said. He explained that one eligibility change in the bill shortens a prior five-year "look-back" period to two years for districts reporting full expenditure of a specific 29 percent allotment for material, supplies and equipment — a change intended to increase the number of districts that qualify for the award.
Local education and business groups voiced support during public comment. Boyd Brown, executive director of the Wyoming Association of School Administrators, said grants let smaller districts buy tools they otherwise would take years to afford. Renny McKay, president of the Wyoming Business Alliance, told the committee that businesses across the state face substantial workforce shortages and that stronger CTE helps supply employers with skilled workers. Other supporters included the Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees, the Wyoming Mining Association and the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming.
Committee members asked for clarifications about how the grant differs from a block grant and what kinds of programs are eligible. Representative Lolly said the program is a targeted, application-based grant that requires districts to document how the money was used for equipment and supplies — unlike the broader block grant model where local priorities can vary.
The committee made no substantive amendments on the floor after public comment. Vice Chair Martha Lawley moved to advance the bill; Representative Tommy Strack seconded the motion. The committee called the roll: Representatives Bratton, Erickson, Guggenmoss, Kelly, Lolly, Singh, Strack, Williams and Chairman Ocean Andrew all voted "aye." The committee chair announced, "You have 9 ayes," and declared the bill passed out of committee.
The bill will move next to the full House for further consideration. Department staff said the Superintendent's strategic plan supports strengthening CTE and that the department has produced a comparison chart showing differences between the state's two CTE grants.
Votes at a glance:
House Bill 17 — Career Technical Education Equipment Grants Amendments: motion "Use the bill," moved by Vice Chair Martha Lawley; seconded by Representative Tommy Strack. Committee roll call vote: 9 ayes, 0 noes. Outcome: passed the committee.
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