WY HB0082

Authorizes up to $250 million in loans from the Permanent Wyoming Mineral Trust Fund to the Department of Transportation for highway construction, with interest rates capped at 2.5% and repayment from the Strategic Investments and Projects Account at up to $50 million annually beginning June 30, 2027

Creates a 15-member Interstate Highways Traffic Study Task Force to examine traffic conditions on Wyoming interstates (particularly I-80) and evaluate solutions including railroad transport of commercial vehicles and additional highway lanes, with a report due by July 1, 2027

Authorizes specific highway projects upon Transportation Commission approval: passing lanes on US Highway 20 between Casper and Thermopolis, expansion of US Highway 287 between Laramie and Colorado to four lanes, widening Wyoming Highway 59 between Wright and Gillette to five lanes, and an alternative route from Rock Springs to Green River

Appropriates $50,000 total from the general fund ($25,000 to the Legislative Service Office and $25,000 to the Governor's Office) for task force member compensation and expenses through June 30, 2028

Task force includes 6 legislators, 3 state officials (Governor, Transportation Director, Tourism Director), and 6 public members representing trucking, local governments, mining, agriculture, construction, and railroad industries