U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) reported on Thursday, October 1, 2026, via a post on X, that the Senate passed her Wyoming Education Trust Modernization Act. The legislation seeks to update investment rules for Wyoming's school trust fund, which currently holds $5.4 billion. Senator Lummis stated that the fund is "stuck under rules written in 1890, earning ~5%." She added that the new bill "lets Wyoming use modern investment tools, with returns possibly as high as 8.3%."
The passage of the Wyoming Education Trust Modernization Act follows a period of heightened focus on investment strategies for public and private funds. This year, Treasury Yields spiked 87 basis points, prompting a realignment across various investment classes, including digital assets. Discussions around modern investment tools and their impact on returns have been prominent, with institutions exploring options beyond traditional frameworks to maximize fund performance.
Senator Lummis's statement implies that the modernization could generate significantly more revenue for Wyoming classrooms without new taxes or costs to taxpayers, as the principal would remain fully protected. The bill's progression to President Trump's desk signals a potential shift in how states manage and invest their substantial trust funds, particularly those constrained by outdated regulations. Watch for the President's action on the bill and subsequent implementation by Wyoming to see if the projected increase in returns is realized.
