2011 Legislative Update - Week 4
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Feb 4, 2011
Today (Friday, 2/4) was the last day for bills to pass out of committee in the house of origin. Monday (2/7) is the last day for bills to be moved off general file or they will die. A significant amount of bills will die either in committee or on general file.
Below is a highlight of bills that may be of interest and saw action this week.
Please continue speaking up and contacting your elected officials. Contact information can be found here for the House: http://bit.ly/eCT999, and here for the Senate: http://bit.ly/hCkqkR.
Tip Sharing (HB 131): Rep. Tim Stubson (R-Casper) introduced a bill that would allow employers to pool tips for tipped employees such as bartenders and waitresses. The full Democratic delegation voted no on this legislation and it failed on a vote of 27-31-2.
Student Assessment Measures (HB 182): Legislation sponsored by Rep. Mary Throne (D-Cheyenne) would limit PAWS to the minimum federal requirements such as removing the writing portion. Some estimates have estimated the savings to total $3 million. The bill has passed the House and will now go to the Senate. Now is a good time to ask your Senators to support this legislation.
Strangulation of a household member (SF 132): This legislation brought by Sen. John Hastert (D-Green River) would make strangulation in domestic violence cases a felony, punishable for up to 10 years in prison. The bill will be heard on third reading on Monday. Please take the time over the weekend to contact your Senator and ask them to stand up against domestic violence in Wyoming homes.
Teacher Tenure (SF 52): This misleadingly titled legislation would take away the current continuing contract system from Wyoming teachers, which gives them access to due process when they are fired. As amended after 3 hours of debate on Thursday the bill would make Wyoming teachers "at will employees." The legislation was laid back and will be heard on second reading on Monday. Please take a moment to contact your senators over the weekend and ask them to oppose this legislation.
Rare and Uncommon (HB 152): As brought by Rep. Mark Semlek (R-Moorcroft) would abolish the rare and uncommon designation and would "retain the authority" to remove protections. Adobe Town is currently designated as rare and uncommon. It has passed the house and the Senate Ag Committee on a vote of 5-0; it will now be considered by the full Senate. The Wyoming Conservation Voters and Wyoming Outdoor Council are opposing this legislation.
Career and technical training grants (SF 118): This proposal sponsored by Sen. John Hastert (D-Green River) would create a career and technical training grant program through the Department of Workforce services based on projected or emerging labor shortages in the Wyoming economy. The amount appropriated was amended from $2 million to $500,000. It passed the Senate with a vote of 18-12 and will now go to the House.
Grand Teton National Park - transfer of state lands (HB 156): Legislation that would authorize the sale of certain state lands within Teton Park to the Federal government for the benefit of the benefit of Wyoming schools. It was sponsored by Rep. Ruth Ann Petroff (R-Jackson) and passed the house on a vote of 46-11-3. It will now go to the Senate.
Abortion - ultrasound information (HB 251): An almost mirror bill to one that died earlier this session, this bill would require a 24 hour waiting period before a woman can have an abortion and require a doctor to deliver a government written script. It passed the House Education Committee on a vote of 7-2 and will go to the House floor.
Health Litigation Fund (HB 39): This legislation as sponsored by the Interim Labor Committee would create a fund with the broad purpose of challenging federal health reform. The appropriation was cut from $2 million to $500,000. Rep. Mary Throne (D-Cheyenne) brought two amendments to narrow the scope of the fund, but both failed on second reading. It will be on third reading on Monday.
Spice drugs (SF 59): As sponsored by Sen. Floyd Esquibel (D-Cheyenne) this bill would outlaw the sale and consumption of Spice drugs in the state. The bill passed the Senate and has been referred to the House Labor Committee.
Temporary military duty-child custody and visitation (HB 105): Legislation brought by Rep. Mary Throne (D-Cheyenne) was designed to protect military members in custody matters while they are deployed or on other duty assignments. It passed out of Senate Judiciary and is headed to Senate floor.
Vehicle Restoration (HB 90): This legislation which is sponsored by Rep. Jim Byrd (D-Cheyenne) would simplify the process to get title and restore an older vehicle. It passed off general file and will have two more readings in the House.
Child caring facilities - certification (HB 239): A proposal to exempt home child care operations from state certification requirements if they do not accept any state subsidies for providing the care was sponsored by Rep. Lorraine Quarberg (R-Thermopolis). The bill failed in committee on a vote of 4-3. For a detailed discussion of the committee meeting read the Equality State Policy Center's Blog: "Wyoming People Want Basic Regulation of Child Care."
Sex offender registration amendments (HB 23): A bill proposed by the Interim Judiciary Committee would amend the requirements for people registering as sex offenders and broadening the cases when a juvenile must register. It will now go to the full Senate floor.
Right to Hunt and Fish (SJ 1): As introduced by Sen. Larry Hicks (R-Baggs), it proposes a constitutional amendment to affirm the right to hunt and fish and would go on the ballot in 2012. It passed the Senate 23-7; it will now go to the House for consideration.