Federal mineral royalties-distribution amendments.
Wyoming's HB 294 amends how the state distributes excess federal mineral royalties (payments from oil, gas, and mineral leases on federal land) received above specific annual thresholds. For fiscal years 2026 and beyond, any revenue exceeding the most recent even-year revenue forecast will be split equally: half goes to the common school permanent fund reserve account, and half to the permanent Wyoming mineral trust fund reserve account. The bill also adjusts thresholds for 2025 ($549.4 million) and 2026 ($530.2 million), repeals outdated distribution provisions (sections k, m, n), and takes effect July 1, 2025. This directly affects state school funding and the mineral trust fund by changing the allocation method for surplus royalty payments.
Bill status
died
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 29, 2025
Last action Mar 3, 2025
Floor votes · House Feb 11, 2025
How they voted
53–4
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 58
Feb 11, 2025
D
Democratic6
66% Nay
R
Republican52
98% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
13
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Mar 3, 2025
Committee
S:Died in Committee Returned Bill Pursuant to SR 5-4
upper
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced
S Introduced and Referred to S02 - Appropriations
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
H 3rd Reading:Passed 56-5-1-0-0
lower
Feb 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
H COW:Passed
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 5-1-1-0-0
lower
Jan 29, 2025
Introduced
H Introduced and Referred to H02 - Appropriations
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
John Bear
RRepublican
Co
Dan Laursen
RRepublican
Co
Darin Smith
RRepublican
Co
Larry Hicks
RRepublican
Co
Scott Smith
RRepublican
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