CHEYENNE – The 2025 SF0001 Supplemental Budget Bill includes significant investments in fire mitigation and disaster response. The bill authorizes up to $30 million in borrowing from the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account (LSRA) to cover wildfire suppression costs, an increase from the previous $20 million authorization. Additionally, $10 million is appropriated to the Municipal Solid Waste Cease and Transfer Grant Account, supporting local governments' needs for these grants. The Office of State Lands and Investments receives $40 million for county emergency suppression, with an additional $2.75 million allocated specifically for direct fire response, funding contract and seasonal firefighting staff. This funding is complemented by $4.82 million dedicated to the Department of Environmental Quality’s solid waste management efforts.

The bill establishes a Natural Disaster Mitigation Loan Program, funded through the LSRA, with an aggregate cap of $100 million for loans. These loans, available to both governmental entities and private individuals, are intended for activities such as reforestation, fence and infrastructure repair, habitat restoration, and fire mitigation projects. Loans will carry a 2% interest rate with repayment terms of up to 20 years and require collateral, including land, equipment, or other assets. Additionally, the Natural Resource Litigation Account is appropriated $3.6 million to support legal actions related to natural resource management, including cases that influence wildfire policy and federal land management decisions affecting fire-prone areas.

Regarding staffing, the bill authorizes a net increase of nine full-time positions (FTEs) while reducing eight part-time positions across various state agencies. Key additions include roles in emergency management, public health, and resource oversight. For example, the Department of Corrections receives funding for four new full-time employees to enhance operational support, while the Department of Health adds two full-time positions for behavioral health and public safety coordination. The Wyoming Gaming Commission is authorized to hire up to five new at-will employee contract positions to support race day staffing and compliance efforts. These additions aim to strengthen the state's capacity to manage growing demands in emergency response, public safety, and resource management, reflecting Wyoming’s commitment to both fiscal responsibility and strategic workforce development.

The fiscal overview of the supplemental budget reflects Wyoming’s balanced approach to fiscal management. The bill appropriates $129,568,851 from the General Fund, along with $113,167,621 from the School Foundation Program Account. It includes targeted allocations from other sources such as $6,056,736 in Federal Funds, $2,217,326 in Special Revenue Funds, $293,200 from Internal Service Funds, $3 million from the Wyoming Tourism Reserve and Projects Account, $500,000 from the Game and Fish Fund, and $420,000 from other designated funds. Importantly, the budget also includes a $100 million reversion from prior appropriations in the LSRA and General Fund back to the Budget Reserve Account, as well as a $70 million transfer from the LSRA.

The supplemental budget is specifically designed to address unforeseen circumstances and emergencies that arise outside the scope of the biennial budget cycle. Its purpose is to provide the flexibility needed to respond to emergent issues such as natural disasters, public health crises, and unexpected operational demands. This focus is why the legislature opted to move school capital construction funding to a separate bill, ensuring that long-term infrastructure projects are managed through a distinct process, while the supplemental budget remains responsive to immediate, unanticipated needs.

SF0001 will complete its first reading in the Senate on Monday, February 3, 2025, and will be open for amendments from the floor of the Senate during the second and third readings.