HB0150

Creates a task force to evaluate and reform the Wyoming Business Council and requires the council to report on its programs, assets, and finances.

• Amends W.S. 9-12-103(a) to add two ex officio nonvoting members to the Wyoming Business Council board: one appointed by the president of the senate and one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. (Section 1, W.S. 9-12-103(a))
• Creates the Wyoming Business Council Strategic Advisory Task Force consisting of 16 members including the governor, four legislative members, and representatives from various business sectors, appointed by the governor or legislative leadership. (Section 2(a))
• Directs the task force to evaluate the Wyoming Business Council's programs, duties, and functions; review economic development initiatives from similar states; and assess which programs should be retained, modified, privatized, transferred, or eliminated. (Section 2(e)(i)-(v))
• Requires the task force to develop recommendations for the strategic direction of the Wyoming Business Council, improve its operations and community engagement, establish reporting methods to the governor and legislature, and consider regional economic development strategies and a select economic development committee. (Section 2(e)(vi)-(x))
• Requires the task force to submit findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to the governor and joint minerals, business and economic development interim committee by October 1, 2026, and terminates the task force on December 31, 2026. (Section 2(f), Section 2(h))
• Prohibits the Wyoming Business Council from expanding programs or assuming new duties and functions from the effective date of the act until July 1, 2027, unless required by law. (Section 3(a))
• Requires the Wyoming Business Council to report by April 30, 2026, on obligated but undisbursed grant funds, outstanding loans and bonds, agreements where the state receives proceeds from property sales, property holdings, all programs and functions, funds managed, and return on investment for each program. (Section 3(b))
• Appropriates $20,000 to the Legislative Service Office for task force legislative member compensation, $40,000 to the Office of the Governor for nonlegislative member compensation, and $75,000 to the Legislative Service Office for expert and consulting services, all for the period through June 30, 2028.