Lawmakers Reject Laramie Aquifer Bill

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A legislative committee has declined to advance a bill that would have put up $15 million to buy land near Laramie to protect the city's aquifer.

The Senate Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee declined to vote on the bill after hearing a lengthy presentation from Laramie city officials and others mainly in favor of the funding.

No other senator seconded a motion by sponsor Sen. Chris Rothfuss, a Laramie Democrat, to approve the funding.

The parcel of about 11,000 acres east of Laramie is owned by former state Rep. Doug Samuelson. Republican Sen. Phil Nicholas, of Laramie, had pushed the purchase before the legislative session but later declared a conflict and hasn't acted on the bill during the legislative session. His law firm represents Samuelson.