The bill amends Wyoming's laws regarding industrial development and siting by granting the industrial siting council the authority to increase impact assistance payments for certain projects beyond the previously established maximum percentages. Specifically, it allows for an increase to a maximum of 2.76% for projects with estimated material costs exceeding $350 million if the council determines that the standard percentages—2.25% for costs of $350 million or less, 2% for costs between $350 million and $850 million, and 1.5% for costs exceeding $850 million—are insufficient to mitigate identified impacts. Additionally, the bill stipulates that any approvals for these increased payments are not subject to judicial review and mandates that the council report to the joint appropriations committee and the joint minerals, business, and economic development interim committee within ten business days of any increase.

Moreover, the bill requires counties, cities, and towns receiving impact assistance payments to submit annual reports detailing the expenditure of these funds, starting one year after payment approval and continuing until all distributions are fully expended. The industrial siting council is also tasked with adopting rules to implement this reporting requirement. The state loan and investment board will review and finalize any proposed percentage increases, with their decisions being final and not subject to further review by the council. The provisions of this act will apply to permit applications submitted on or after its effective date of July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 35-12-105, 39-15-111, 39-16-111
Engrossed: 35-12-105, 39-15-111, 39-16-111