Wyoming lawmakers consider coronavirus business relief bill

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) - Wyoming lawmakers are considering a bill for an upcoming special session that would provide $50 million in grants and loans to small businesses affected by the coronavirus.

The Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee plans to vote on the bill Monday after discussing it Thursday. The full Legislature would then take up the measure during a special session - Wyoming's first since 2004 - set for next Friday and Saturday.

Gov. Mark Gordon announced the special session Thursday to allocate $1.25 billion in federal funding to help business and others affected by public-health orders to limit spread of the virus.

"The concept of this bill is quick grants to small businesses that are falling between the cracks," said committee Co-Chairman Rep. Mike Greear, R-Worland. "This is our first attempt to get relief out to our small businesses."

One program in the bill would provide a $15,000 stipend to small business es with fewer than 50 employees with another $2,000 for each additional full-time worker and $1,000 for each additional part-time employee.

Another program would extend interest-free, 10-year loans of up to $300,000 to businesses with fewer than 100 employees, the Casper Star-Tribune reports.

A third program would reimburse businesses up to $500,000 for expenses related to protecting employee health, such as purchasing cleaning products and hand sanitizer and conducting public-health training.

Some people testifying in the video meeting called for lawmakers to make nonprofits eligible for loans but committee members voted not to do that.

The Wyoming Business Council could potentially still consider nonprofits businesses for the aid, according to Legislative Service Office staff attorney Brian Fuller.