2025
STATE OF WYOMING
25LSO-06411HB0233
HOUSE BILL NO. HB0233
Natural resource litigation funding.
Sponsored by: Representative(s) Larsen, L, Harshman,
Larson, JT, Tarver and Wylie and Senator(s)
Cooper and Crago
A BILL
for
1 AN ACT relating to the administration of government;
2 amending and renaming the coal-fired facility closures
3 litigation funding account; providing an appropriation;
4 requiring reports; and providing for an effective date.
5
6
7
8.
9
10 (a) The account created by 2021 Wyoming Session Laws,
11 Chapter 112, Section 2 and continued by 2023 Wyoming
12 Session Laws, Chapter 6, Section 1 shall be continued and
13 renamed as the natural resource litigation account. Any
14 funds in the account on the effective date of this act
15 shall remain in the account. Funds in the account shall not 2025STATE OF WYOMING25LSO-06412HB0233
1 be transferred or expended for any purpose other than
2 administering and enforcing the provisions of this section.
3
4 (b) There is appropriated seven million five hundred
5 thousand dollars ($7,500,000.00) from the general fund to
6 the natural resource litigation account. Notwithstanding
7 W.S. 9-2-1008, 9-2-1012(e) and 9-4-207, any unexpended,
8 unobligated funds in the account shall revert as provided
9 by law on June 30, 2027.
10
11 (c) Funds in the natural resource litigation account
12 are continuously appropriated to the office of the governor
13 for litigation expenses incurred in defending, commencing,
14 intervening in or prosecuting lawsuits against the federal
15 government and its agencies, other states or other states'
16 agencies and local governments that enact and enforce laws
17 or regulations, or other actions by the federal government,
18 other states, local governments or third parties, that
19 impermissibly impede Wyoming's ability to manage or develop
20 its natural resources. Such actions may include, but are
21 not limited to, restrictions on the leasing, use or export
22 of coal and any measures that cause or result in the
23 retirement of coal-fired electric generation facilities 2025STATE OF WYOMING25LSO-06413HB0233
1 located in Wyoming, a decreased use of Wyoming coal or the
2 closure of coal-fired electric generation facilities that
3 use Wyoming coal.
4
5 (d) On or before October 1, 2025 and each year
6 thereafter until October 1, 2027, the governor and the
7 attorney general shall report to the joint appropriations
8 committee and the joint minerals, business and economic
9 development interim committee on:
10
11 (i) The expenditure of any funds in the natural
12 resource litigation account incurred in defending,
13 commencing, intervening in or prosecuting lawsuits
14 authorized in accordance with this section;
15
16 (ii) The status of any litigation initiated,
17 intervened in, defended, prosecuted or concluded using
18 funds in the natural resource litigation account. The
19 governor and attorney general may present the information
20 required by this paragraph in executive session.
21
22. 2023 Wyoming Session Laws, Chapter 6 is
23 repealed. 2025STATE OF WYOMING25LSO-06414HB0233
1
2This act is effective immediately upon
3 completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law
4 as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming
5 Constitution.
6
7 (END)