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Read. Follow. Verify.Wyoming Bill Authorizes $250 Million for Highway Projects and Creates Traffic Study Task Force
Last action · February 11, 2026: H Failed Introduction 29-31-2-0-0Sponsors: Steve Harshman and 6 others
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What This Bill Proposed
Wyoming House Bill 82 authorizes the state treasurer to invest up to $250 million from the permanent mineral trust fund to provide low-interest loans for highway construction. It also creates a 15-member interstate highways traffic study task force to examine traffic congestion and freight transport methods on Interstate 80.
The measure establishes multi-million-dollar financing for specific regional road expansions—such as widening U.S. 287 and Wyoming Highway 59—while establishing a temporary task force funded by $50,000 in general fund appropriations to evaluate commercial vehicle transit and rail alternatives.
- Wyoming regularly utilizes its permanent mineral trust fund and related accounts to finance large-scale public purpose infrastructure and state loans. context
- Interstate 80 in Wyoming experiences significant freight traffic and weather-related closures, prompting ongoing legislative discussions regarding congestion and safety. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Department of transportation
Receives loan funding for highway construction, directs federal highway safety funds, and conducts traffic studies for specified highway projects.
Commercial motor vehicle operators
Subject to study regarding potential rail transport methods and associated fees for crossing areas served by interstate highways.
Mining industry
Appointed to the interstate highways traffic study task force to represent industry perspectives on highway conditions and traffic.
Key Facts
- The state treasurer is authorized to invest up to $250 million from the permanent Wyoming mineral trust fund to provide loans to the department of transportation for approved highway construction until June 30, 2030.
- Loan interest rates are fixed by the state treasurer to be commensurate with asset class returns but shall not exceed 2.5%.
- The state auditor shall transfer up to $50 million annually from the strategic investments and projects account to the permanent Wyoming mineral trust fund beginning June 30, 2027, until loans are repaid.
- The transportation commission is authorized to fund specific projects, including passing lanes on U.S. Highway 20, expanding U.S. Highway 287 to four lanes, expanding Wyoming Highway 59 to five lanes, and building an alternative paved highway from Rock Springs to Green River.
Show all 8 facts
- The interstate highways traffic study task force is created, consisting of 15 members representing the legislature, state government, and public industry sectors.
- The task force is directed to study traffic, highway deterioration, and potential rail transport methods for commercial motor vehicles, reporting its findings by July 1, 2027.
- The task force terminates on November 1, 2027.
- An appropriation of $25,000 is made from the general fund to the legislative service office, and $25,000 to the office of the governor, for task force expenses through June 30, 2028.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum amount that can be invested in highway construction loans?
Which specific highway projects are authorized under this measure?
Who serves on the interstate highways traffic study task force?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Failed in the House.
Procedural history
3 actions- Feb 11, 2026HouseH Failed Introduction 29-31-2-0-0
- Feb 5, 2026HouseH Received for Introduction
- Feb 2, 2026Bill Number Assigned
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Permanent Mineral Trust Fund Utilization
The bill bridges permanent mineral trust fund assets directly to department of transportation construction loans with specific repayment transfers from the strategic investments and projects account.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wyoleg.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz35Current news / social attention level
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