HB0230

Authorizes investment of state mineral trust funds in highway construction loans, establishes an interstate highways traffic study task force, and directs specific highway improvement projects.

• Authorizes the state treasurer to invest up to $250 million from the permanent Wyoming mineral trust fund in loans to the department of transportation for highway construction projects approved by the transportation commission. Authority expires June 30, 2029. (W.S. 9-1-420(a))
• Sets loan interest rates at a fixed rate determined by the state treasurer to be reasonably commensurate with asset class return rates. (W.S. 9-1-420(b))
• Requires the state auditor to transfer $50 million annually from the legislative stabilization reserve account to the permanent Wyoming mineral trust fund beginning June 30, 2026, to repay the invested loan amounts plus interest, until the debt is paid off. (W.S. 9-1-420(e))
• Directs the transportation commission to allocate available federal highway safety funds to construction of one or more transportation commission-approved highways. (W.S. 9-1-420(d))
• Amends the permanent Wyoming mineral trust fund reserve account spending policy to apply to fiscal year 2025 and thereafter. (W.S. 9-4-719(b)(i), Sec. 2)
• Authorizes specific highway projects for construction funding: passing lanes on US Highway 20 between Casper-Waltman, Waltman-Shoshoni, and Shoshoni-Thermopolis; expansion of US Highway 287 between Laramie and Colorado border from two to four lanes; expansion of Wyoming Highway 59 between Wright and Gillette to five lanes; and an alternative paved highway from Rock Springs to Green River on the north side of Interstate 80. (Sec. 3)
• Creates the interstate highways traffic study task force consisting of six legislative members, three state government officials, and six public members representing trucking, local government, mining, agriculture, construction, and railroad industries. (Sec. 4(a))
• Requires the task force to study traffic and conditions on Wyoming's interstate highways (focusing on Interstate 80), evaluate methods for reducing traffic and highway deterioration including railroad transport of commercial vehicles and additional interstate lanes, explore funding strategies, and report findings and legislative recommendations by July 1, 2026.