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HJ 2

Federal mineral royalties-state share.

2026 Regular Session

Wyoming asks Congress to shift federal mineral royalties so the state would receive 87.5% (up from 50%) and keep the 2% admin deduction.

Governor Signed HEJR No. 0001
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Bill Summary · HJ 2

Overview

Wyoming Joint Resolution HJ 2 (2026) seeks to increase Wyoming’s share of federal mineral royalties from 50% to 87.5% and directs that a two percent (2%) administrative cost deduction under federal law (30 U.S.C. § 191(b)) be retained by Wyoming rather than by the federal government. The measure is framed as a request to Congress to enact legislation implementing this revised distribution formula.

Purpose and intent

  • To substantially increase Wyoming’s portion of federal mineral royalties from half (50%) to just under nine-tenths (87.5%).
  • To restructure how federal mineral royalty receipts are apportioned between the state and the federal government, aligning revenue distribution with a federal statutory framework while ensuring Wyoming retains the 2% admin cost deduction.

Key provisions

  • Section 1(a): Establishes the structure for the resolution’s directive to Congress.
  • Section 1(b)(ii): Requires that revenue distribution follow federal statutory formulas, with a critical modification:
    • The two percent (2%) administrative cost deduction authorized under 30 U.S.C. § 191(b) shall be allocated to and retained by the State of Wyoming, not by the United States government.
  • The accompanying language in the supporting documents indicates an intent to base the calculation on current federal royalty statutes while shifting the administrative-cost retention to Wyoming.

Affected parties and fiscal impact

  • Affected Entity: State of Wyoming, particularly the state treasury and agencies responsible for mineral resource management and revenue distribution.
  • Affected Revenues: Federal mineral royalties received by Wyoming, with the state aiming to capture 87.5% of such royalties under the proposed formula.
  • Fiscal Note: The accompanying fiscal note states no direct fiscal or personnel impact is recorded at the time of the analysis (per the bill’s fiscal note). However, if enacted, the state would experience a substantial shift in revenue share from federal to state coffers.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Sponsor: Select Federal Natural Resource Management Committee.
  • Legislative History:
    • House: Introduced and referred to H05 – Agriculture (Feb 9, 2026). Passed House on Feb 27, 2026 (Concurrence 55-0-7-0-0).
    • Senate: Introduced and referred to S05 – Agriculture (Feb 16, 2026). Recommended Amend and Do Pass (4-0-1-0-0). Placed on General File and passed on Feb 26, 2026.
    • Both chambers: Concurrence and final passage completed in late February 2026.
  • Joint Resolution: Adopted as HEJR No. 0001, signed by both Speaker of the House and President of the Senate, and then signed by the Governor (March 2-3, 2026).

Potential impact and considerations

  • If Congress enacts the proposed amendment to federal mineral royalty distribution, Wyoming would receive a markedly larger share of mineral royalty revenues, potentially affecting state budgeting, capital projects, and programs funded by mineral revenue.
  • Shifting the 2% administrative-cost deduction to Wyoming would increase state-administered costs and may require administrative capacity to manage the federal formula calculations and distribution.
  • The resolution reflects Wyoming’s policy objective to maximize state control over natural resource revenues and reduce federal retention of royalty proceeds.

Summary

HJ 2 is a Wyoming measure urging Congress to change how federal mineral royalties are shared, lifting Wyoming’s state share from 50% to 87.5% and transferring the 2% federal administrative deduction to the state. If enacted, this would significantly alter state revenue streams tied to federal mineral resources, with corresponding considerations for state revenue planning and administrative implementation. The resolution passed both chambers and was enacted as HEJR No. 0001 in March 2026.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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