WyomingSF 812026 Budget SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT relating to K-12 public school finance; implementing the 2025 cost of education study as modified by the legislature; modifying the education resource block grant model; modifying cash reserves; restricting expenditure of funds distributed through the school foundation program account; creating a new grant program for the post secondary education enrollment options program; making conforming amendments; requiring rulemaking; repealing provisions; providing an appropriation; and providing for effective dates.

Sponsored By: null Recalibration

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

11 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Minimum teacher pay set through 2029

For school years 2026–2027 through 2028–2029, every district must set a teacher pay schedule. Teacher pay must be at least the higher of the district’s calculated average salary or up to 110% of last year’s district average. This raises or protects teacher pay for three years.

One-time $275M for schools

Effective July 1, 2026, the state gives $275,065,955 to the Department of Education for payments to school districts and to supplement foundation program funding. Lawmakers state that $20,565,955 of this should not be included in the department’s regular budget for the next biennium.

More dual enrollment and funding

Starting July 1, 2026, the state provides up to $10 million each school year to reimburse districts for dual enrollment course costs with the University of Wyoming and community colleges. If the money is not enough, payments are cut across districts based on each one’s share of completed credit hours. Schools, UW, and community colleges cannot limit how many dual enrollment courses a student takes. The Department of Education will set rules and require annual reporting.

Full foundation funding for charters

Beginning July 1, 2026, charter schools are entitled to 100% of their computed foundation program amount based on their student count, minus any deductions listed in law. This locks in full formula funding for charter schools each year.

New K-12 funding model rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state puts the Education Resource Block Grant (ERBG) model into law and uses it to compute each district’s foundation funding. The model raises elementary ADM breakpoints to 110, 220, and 330 and shortens some student-count averaging to two years instead of three when the two‑year district average is higher than the prior year. For school year 2027–2028 and later, if a district’s prior‑year health insurance spending is lower than the model amount, the difference is subtracted. Facility space rules use a 115% capacity exclusion (a 135% cap applies for 2025–2026). The accountability system uses the ERBG components, the model spreadsheets are filed with the Secretary of State, older attachments and clauses are repealed, and starting with the 2027–2028 budget districts must report any ±7.5% staffing or spending variances by component with explanations in dollars and positions.

District instructional reserve accounts

From July 1, 2026, districts may set up an instructional reserve. It holds unspent ERBG funds and interest and does not lapse or count toward cash reserve limits. Districts can use it only for instructional needs, easing enrollment drops, or recruiting, hiring, and keeping instructional staff. The Department will write rules and districts must report yearly.

Recapture notices move to later dates

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Department of Education must notify districts subject to recapture by September 1 instead of August 15. It must certify recapture amounts by May 31 instead of March 1. This gives districts more time to plan each year.

School finance study committee

The law creates a select committee on school finance recalibration through December 31, 2026. It studies mental health supports, school safety staff, school meals, and technology, using 2024–25 and 2025–26 data. The committee reports recommendations and can sponsor bills. Agencies and districts must provide requested information.

State covers K-12 retirement costs

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Department of Education reimburses school districts for the employer share of K–12 retirement contributions for salaries paid from specific state education funds. If a salary is split with other funds, the state pays only its share. Payments are monthly and the department will write rules. The state budget office and retirement system must also include needed money for these employer costs in the state budget.

Superintendent duties extended to 2027

The law delays the repeal of two listed duties of the State Superintendent to July 1, 2027. Those duties stay in effect for one more year.

No operating funds for school projects

Starting July 1, 2026, districts cannot use foundation (operational) money for major building repairs, replacements, or other building projects. Districts must use other capital sources for these costs. The law also clarifies municipal reserve rules by noting the separate limits that apply to school district boards.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • null Recalibration

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 300 • No: 232

Senate vote 3/5/2026

S Concur:Passed 31-0-0-0-0

Yes: 31 • No: 0

House vote 3/4/2026

Amendment failed 25-32-4-1-0

Yes: 25 • No: 32

House vote 3/4/2026

Amendment failed 26-32-4-0-0

Yes: 26 • No: 32

House vote 3/4/2026

H 3rd Reading:Passed 52-7-3-0-0

Yes: 52 • No: 7

House vote 3/4/2026

Amendment failed 13-46-3-0-0

Yes: 13 • No: 46

House vote 3/2/2026

H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 7-0-0-0-0

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote 2/27/2026

H04 - Education:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 6-2-1-0-0

Yes: 6 • No: 2

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Amendment failed 6-25-0-0-0

Yes: 6 • No: 25

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Amendment failed 5-25-1-0-0

Yes: 5 • No: 25

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Amendment adopted 29-1-1-0-0

Yes: 29 • No: 1

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Amendment failed 8-22-1-0-0

Yes: 8 • No: 22

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Amendment failed 9-21-1-0-0

Yes: 9 • No: 21

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Amendment failed 13-18-0-0-0

Yes: 13 • No: 18

Senate vote 2/23/2026

S 3rd Reading:Passed 30-1-0-0-0

Yes: 30 • No: 1

Senate vote 2/17/2026

S02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 4-0-1-0-0

Yes: 4 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/17/2026

S04 - Education:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/13/2026

S Introduced and Referred to S04 - Education 31-0-0-0-0

Yes: 31 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Became Law without Signature

    3/9/2026
  2. Assigned Chapter Number 82

    3/9/2026
  3. S Received for Concurrence

    3/5/2026Senate
  4. S Concur:Passed 31-0-0-0-0

    3/5/2026Senate
  5. S President Signed SEA No. 0056

    3/5/2026Senate
  6. H Speaker Signed SEA No. 0056

    3/5/2026House
  7. H 3rd Reading:Passed 52-7-3-0-0

    3/4/2026House
  8. H 2nd Reading:Passed

    3/3/2026House
  9. H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 7-0-0-0-0

    3/2/2026House
  10. H Placed on General File

    3/2/2026House
  11. H COW:Passed

    3/2/2026House
  12. H04 - Education:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 6-2-1-0-0

    2/27/2026House
  13. H04 - Education:Rerefer to H02 - Appropriations

    2/27/2026House
  14. H Received for Introduction

    2/24/2026House
  15. H Introduced and Referred to H04 - Education

    2/24/2026House
  16. S 3rd Reading:Passed 30-1-0-0-0

    2/23/2026Senate
  17. S 2nd Reading:Passed

    2/20/2026Senate
  18. S COW:Passed

    2/19/2026Senate
  19. S04 - Education:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0

    2/17/2026Senate
  20. :Rerefer to S02 - Appropriations

    2/17/2026Senate
  21. S02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 4-0-1-0-0

    2/17/2026Senate
  22. S Placed on General File

    2/17/2026Senate
  23. S Introduced and Referred to S04 - Education 31-0-0-0-0

    2/13/2026Senate
  24. S Received for Introduction

    2/9/2026Senate
  25. Bill Number Assigned

    2/6/2026

Bill Text

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