CHEYENNE-A bill that would more than triple the amount that individuals may contribute to state and local political candidates passed the Senate Thursday on third reading.

House Bill 9 raises the individual campaign contribution limit to $3,500 per election and eliminates the $25,000 cap in total contributions that an individual can give to all candidates in state and local races.

It was one of several bills that advanced Thursday.

HB 9 also imposes a cap of $2,300 per election on contributions from political action committees to a single candidate for offices other than statewide offices, and $4,600 per election for statewide candidates.

The bill was the result of an interim study convened by the Legislature after a single Casper donor formed a PAC and contributed more than $11,000 to a county commission candidate.

"This is a necessary modification of campaign finance," said Sen. Charles Scott, R-Casper, noting that the current $1,000 cap on individual donations has been stagnant since the 1970s.

Here's a roundup of other bills that moved ahead Thursday:

House Bill 57, which would prevent the state from confiscating firearms in the case of an emergency, was endorsed by the Senate first reading.

House Bill 77, which would provide college tuition to dependents of disabled firefighters and emergency medical technicians, was endorsed by the Senate on second reading.

House Bill 89, which would specify that surface land owners also own the underground "pore space" where greenhouse gases could be stored, was endorsed by the House in conference committee.

House Bill 81, which would provide funding for community college capital construction projects, cleared the Senate and now awaits the governor's signature.

House Bill 90, which creates the regulatory framework for the capture and underground storage of greenhouse gases, was endorsed by the Senate on second reading.

House Joint Resolution 1, which would change the requirements to qualify an issue for voter initiatives and referendums, was endorsed by the Senate on first reading.

Senate File 11, which would allow counties to regulate land developments up to 140 acres in size, was endorsed by the House on second reading.

Senate File 18, which would overhaul the requirements for filing a corporation with the secretary of state, was endorsed by the House on second reading.

Senate File 21, which would allow college students who lose their Hathaway Scholarship eligibility to regain the money if they improve their grades, was endorsed by the House on second reading.

Senate File 39, which would expand the number of members on the State Miner's Hospital Board, was endorsed by the House on second reading.

Senate File 65, which would update the way the state handles juvenile crime, was endorsed by the House on second reading.

Reach Star-Tribune capital bureau reporter Jared Miller at (307) 632-1244 or at {M7jared.miller@trib.com.