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LEGISLATURE ended Friday March 5!
But work has already begun for the 2011 Session
Between now and the 2011 Session that begins in January, legislative committees meet and conduct “interim studies”. The studies frequently result in legislation introduced at the next legislative session.
Several topics were approved by the Management Council and the Wyoming Retail Association will follow the discussion by attending the committee meetings and providing testimony when necessary. Topics of interest include:
Joint Agriculture Committee-Consider the licensing and impacts of licensing and inspections of farmers markets and community events as a result of discussion about the failed Food Freedom Act, HB 54.
Joint Transportation Committee-Consideration of increasing fuel taxes.
Joint Travel Committee-Review of a Master Plan under development by the Wyoming Travel and Tourism Office.
Joint Revenue Committee-Review of Tax Reform 2000 (Includes options for tax policy in Wyoming.)
Joint Mines, Minerals and Economic Development Committee-Review of the Wyoming Business Council goals and purpose.
Joint Health, Labor and Social Services Committee-Review legislation authorizing the interstate purchase of health insurance.
WRA had a successful session. A final version of the budget bill and all other bills passed by the legislature can be found at http://legisweb.state.wy.us
BUDGET ISSUES
Your association successfully supported the Governor’s and the Joint Appropriations Committee Recommendations for the Wyoming Travel and Tourism budget.
Both the WTT budget and the proposed new visitor center in Southeast Wyoming was approved by both the Governor and the JAC and passed the House and Senate!? In addition, a successful lobbying effort from attendees at the Governors Hospitality and Tourism Conference resulted in an additional $261,000 for the biennium for the Cowboy Marketing Program, a marketing and promotional opportunity centered around Wyoming’s national champion professional rodeo athletes. The program puts a tangible face and a voice to the image and lure of the American cowboy. Good work everyone!
Your association successfully supported the Governors Recommendation for the Wildlife Trust Fund. The budget proposal to administer the fund is the same as last biennium less the 10% reduction made July 1.
Successfully supported the Workforce Development Training Fund-Dept. of Workforce Services. This budget was approved by both the House and Senate.
Successfully supported the Governors and the JAC Recommendation for the Business Ready Communities/Community Facilities Program.
Successfully supported amendments to remove the Nicholas amendment to the Liquor Warehouse that would have increased taxes on businesses serving wine and spirits.
OTHER BILLS
House Bill 15, Electrical safety and fire prevention, revisions - Sponsored by the Joint Corporations Committee, regulation provisions for additional authority for the state of Wyoming. Passed House and Senate, awaiting Governor’s signature.
House Bill 29, Taxation of Digital Products - Sponsored by the Revenue Committee, directed towards expanding the tax base and taxing the new world of digital products. Passed House and Senate, awaits Governor’s signature.
House Bill 30, Authority of Department of Transportation - Sponsored by the Transportation Committee, provides additional authority to purchase right of ways for safety. Failed House introduction.
House Bill 44, Economic Development Property Tax Reduction - Sponsored by Rep. Illoway, a recent decision by the Wyoming Board of Equalization is forcing county assessors to assess economic development property as if it was ready to be sold tomorrow. Legislation allows commercial land only without improvements to be taxed. Passed House and Senate, awaits Governor’s signature.
House Bill 54, Creating the Wyoming Food Freedom Act - Sponsored by Rep. Wallis – Died in the Senate Agriculture Committee after active lobbying by lobbyists and members of the Wyoming Lodging and Restaurant Association. Thanks to everyone who contacted their legislators!
The bill exempted certain sales from licensure, certification and inspection if they were to be sold from the seller directly to customers in venues such as farmers markets, school events and youth clubs. It destroyed the food licensing system and made it difficult to track food borne illness outbreaks. Also created some questionable unfair competition with commercial businesses. Died in Senate Agriculture Committee. Will be the topic for the Joint Interim Agriculture Committee.
House Bill 71, Workers Compensation Appeals, Sponsored by Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, provides for direct appeal of worker’s compensation small claims and contested case decisions to the supreme court. Defeated in Senate Committee.
House Bill 108, Health Insurance Reform-Sponsored by Rep. Simpson, creating the Wyoming Affordable HSA Eligible High Deductible Health Plan Act; providing a limited insurance premium tax waiver as specified; prescribing duties of the insurance commissioner; providing exceptions to the Unfair Trade Practices Act. Laid back bill by Senate Labor Committee.
House Bill 113, Concealed Weapon Authority - Sponsored by Rep. Quarberg, allows concealed weapons to be carried without permits. Continues lack of restrictions and guns can be legally taken into retail stores, restaurants but not bars. Not considered in Senate Judiciary Committee.
House Bill 128, Health Insurance, Interstate Purchase-Sponsored by Rep. Simpson, authorizing the sale in Wyoming of health insurance by out-of-state insurers as specified; providing for more limited regulation of policies; providing for oversight by the insurance commissioner; providing for cooperation by the insurance commissioner with other states with consistent insurance laws to allow multi-state sales without duplicate regulation. Is not effective until after the 2011 legislative session. Passed House and Senate, awaits Governor’s signature.
Senate File 16, Providing for review of a property tax assessment -Sponsored by the Revenue Committee, provides procedures for review of a property tax assessment. Passed House and Senate, signed by Governor.
Senate File 18, Limited liability companies, revisions - Sponsored by the Corporations Committee, updating and modifying statutes to comply with the revised uniform limited liability company act in part and with exceptions and changes. Passed House and Senate, awaits Governor’s signature.
Senate File 23, Unemployment Compensation Amendments - Sponsored by the Labor Committee, makes a number of changes to the Unemployment Compensation statutes, including bringing the state into federal compliance and several other changes affecting employers. Passed House and Senate, awaits Governor’s signature .
Senate File 25, Liens - Sponsored by the Judiciary Committee, reorganizing lien statutes as specified; generally amending and clarifying the process for filing liens; specifying time limits for filing forms; amending substantive rights under lien provisions; conforming statutes; authorizing attorney fees and costs as specified. Passed House and Senate, awaits Governors Signature.
Senate File 27, Government competition - Sponsored by Sen. Case, an act relating to administration of government; providing a process for lodging concerns with and for review of competition by government entities with the private sector; requiring a report to the legislature; providing a sunset date; and providing for an effective date. Passed House and Senate, awaits Governor’s signature.
Senate File 35, Tolling authority for I-80 - Sponsored by the Joint Transportation Committee, calls for a study of imposing tolls on Interstate 80 by the Wyoming Dept. of Transportation. Did not pass House Transportation Committee.
Senate File 52, Reduced cigarette ignition propensity - Sponsored by Sen. Coe, regulates the type of paper used in cigarettes. Passed House and Senate, awaits Governor’s signature.
Senate File 61, Health Insurance Reform - Sponsored by Sen. Scott, creating a health care reform demonstration project using the board and administrative structure of the Wyoming health insurance pool. Passed House and Senate, awaits Governor’s signature.
Senate File 67, Pharmacy Benefit Manager - Sponsored by Sen. Ross, regulation of pharmacy benefit managers and requiring annual registration with the insurance commission. Passed the Senate but died in House Corporations Committee.
Senate File 77, Career and Technical Training Grants - Sponsored by Sen. Hastert, establishes a career and technical training scholarship program in the department of workforce services. Failed Senate introduction.
Senate File 78, Illegal Fish Stocking - Sponsored by Sen. Burns, provides penalties for illegal stocking of fish. Passed House and Senate, awaits signature by the Governor.
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