Wyoming Legislature update – Jan. 25, 2019
by Albert Sommers, House District #20 Representative
January 27, 2019
Friday, January 25, 2019:
Hello Sublette County,
This is Albert Sommers in Cheyenne. It has been a productive third week for the 65th General Session of the Wyoming Legislature. As of today, a total of 441 bills have been filed in the House and Senate. The deadline for filing in the House is next Tuesday. The Senate met its deadline yesterday, with 172 Senate Files introduced.
In the morning session of the House, 8 bills were passed on 2nd reading. Key bills included:
HB0014 – Mountain daylight time
HB0099 – Wyoming public lands days
HB0142 – Wildlife and natural resources trust account board – duties
Four bills were considered in the House on third reading and were sent to the Senate for consideration:
HB0032 – Environmental Quality Council – amendments
HB0111 - Environmental Quality Council – voting amendments. I did not support these two bills because they change the basic structure of the EQC, and the EQC is an important check and balance in the enforcement of environmental laws.
HB0159 – Volunteer reserve officers – liability coverage
HB0220 – National Retail Fairness Act. I supported both bills. HB220 will create a corporate tax for large retail stores and resorts with more than 100 shareholders. The only push-back we got on this bill was from companies like Walmart, who pay the tax on Wyoming sales in their home states.
The Committee of the Whole considered 13 bills and passed each on a voice vote. Topics considered today included HB0052 – Public Works and Contracts, which was my bill; HB0108 – Contractors-final payment provisions restructure; and HB0076 – Wyoming Beer Freedom Act.
We are having great discussions on many of the bills but must increase our pace if we are to consider all bills by our deadline for Committee of the Whole on February 4.
For descriptions and status of all 2019 bills, visit https://www.wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2019
Please follow my Facebook page for up to date information and email me at albert@albertsommers.com with questions or concerns.
Thank you
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