CHEYENNE - The Wyoming House of Representatives gave preliminary approval Monday to a bill making minor modifications to the state's management plan for gray wolves.

The House passed House Bill 32 on first reading by voice vote, though key lawmakers said they expect more amendments to the bill as it comes up for second and third readings in the chamber.

Wyoming is trying to regain state control over wolves after the federal government reversed an earlier decision to remove the animals from the endangered species list in the state.

Some lawmakers argued Monday that the Legislature should take no action as it waits for the Obama administration to take a stand on the wolf issue.

Others said Wyoming should continue tweaking its rules to give the state a better chance to regain management over wolves.

The provisions of House Bill 32 would take effect only if wolves are removed from the endangered species list.

The bill would maintain separate trophy game and predator zones for wolves in Wyoming. It would authorize the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission to work in cooperation with Idaho and Montana to move wolves as necessary to assure genetic interchange among the states' wolf populations.

The bill would bind Wyoming to maintaining at least seven breeding pairs of wolves outside of National Park Service lands in northwestern Wyoming. Or, if Wyoming entered into a management agreement with the Park Service, the bill would call for maintaining 15 breeding pairs on Park Service and state lands within Wyoming.

The bill would establish a process for the state Game and Fish Commission to alter the trophy game area as necessary. It would also revert to more lenient rules for ranchers in the trophy game zone, allowing them to shoot wolves that are threatening livestock.