CHEYENNE - A bill to provide a guaranteed stream of money for highway construction for the next eight years would allow the Wyoming Department of Transportation to carry out long-term planning, supporters said Tuesday.

The Senate Revenue Committee voted 4-1 for Senate File 77, which would divert for highways half of the amount of severance tax money earmarked for the state's Budget Reserve Account.

The diversion would mean $110 million for highways in the fiscal year that begins June 1, and an estimated $128 million the following year.

That is $38 million more for the two-year period than a $200 million General Fund appropriation for highways included in the state's primary budget bill now being considered by the House and Senate. If SF 77 passes, the $200 million will be removed from the budget bill.

"I didn't confer with anybody, really," said the sponsor, Senate Majority Leader John Hines, R-Gillette. He said he talked about it with House Speaker Roy Cohee, R-Casper, who is a co-sponsor.

The leadership positions of the bill's sponsors guarantees the measure some traction in the Legislature.

Hines said he looked at options after it appeared the Legislature will not increase taxes this year while residents remain concerned about the condition of the state's roads and highways.

WYDOT chief engineer Del McOmie said the department's road projects are based on a six-year planning cycle. Department officials have long wanted a dependable revenue source for highway projects.

A previous WYDOT report said half of Wyoming highways are rated in fair or poor condition. Meanwhile, construction costs are skyrocketing while federal and state funding has been flat.

WYDOT officials estimated they need $250 million more a year to care for the system.

Also supporting SF 77 Tuesday was the Wyoming Contractors Association, said spokesman Jonathan Downing.

Rep. Rodney "Pete" Anderson, R-Pine Bluffs, said the House passed a similar bill last year using federal mineral royalties instead of severance taxes. "Nobody would look at it," Anderson said.

Voting for SF 77 were Sens. Jim Anderson, R-Glenrock; Jayne Mockler, D-Cheyenne; Cale Case, R-Lander; and Kit Jennings, R-Casper. Voting "no" was Sen. Tony Ross, R-Cheyenne.

Contact Joan Barron at joan.barron@trib.com or by phone at 307-632-1244.