This bill clarifies the fiduciary role of local government investment agents given in the 2016 Legislative Session.  It reiterates they are subject to the Wyoming Uniform Prudent Investor Act and are subject to the state's jurisdiction. This stresses adequate due diligence when investing public funds - including local governments.

This bill supports that state and national banks are able to accept state and other public deposits.  

This bill supports more alternatives for depositories, particularly for rural areas.  It allows communities like Shoshone and Wright who do not have state banks to deposit in a state approved credit union.

WAM Action Taken: 1/20/17 Laurie Heath testified in support and presented a letter from Mayor Peters (Shoshone).  

This bill expands options for investing state funds which will impact the ability of local governments investments.

WAM Action Taken: 1/31/17 Laurie Heath attended JAC.  This bill provides flexibility of investments with reduced restrictions to allow adjustments to market conditions. 

This bill identifies State funding for water projects with some being municipal projects. WAM members with water projects in this bill are Cody, Cowley, Gillette, Glenrock, Opal, Thayne, Wheatland, Casper, Deaver, Thermopolis, Riverton, Green River/Rock Springs, Laramie, and multiple irrigation districts. The expectation is all the projects on this bill will be funded but future projects are at risk of funding due to the fact that the supplemental budget proposes Water Development Commission funds are shared with the SEO department.  As of 2/16/17, appears this omnibus construction bill will pass securing funding for the listed projects.

2/16/17 Passed 2nd Reading in Senate

WAM ACTION: 2/7/17, Bill Senate passed Agricultural Committee 5-0.

WAM ACTION: 1/23/17, Bill passed 7-0 with no amendments=RK 

This bill seeks to increase compliance with existing taxation of vehicles. The bill specifically calls out natural gas vehicles but WAM suggests it should include electric powered vehicles as well (page 4, line 4).

This bill increases the lodging taxation rate allowable from 4% to 6% along with other provisions that would provide potential local government funding.  

WAM Action Taken: 1/18/17 Laurie Heath testified that WAM was monitoring the bill.  As the bill was reviewed and compared, there was opposition from retailing and tourism industry.  This lodging tax bill failed but it was added to the Corporation list for an interim committee topic.     

This bill modifies and expands the ability of attorney and court costs to be awarded to the prevailing party in a case brought on by the government entity, including incorporated municipalities.  This would directly impact the approved budgets of the municipalities.

WAM Action Taken: 1/23/17 Laurie Heath testified in opposition.  Bill failed in committee 

This bill relates to state investments increasing the amount authorized to be invested for specific public purposes. This bill increases from $600M to $1B availability of state funds for investment programs.

WAM ACTION: 2/10/17, Rick Kaysen testified in support, Senate Minerals passed bill 5-0.

This bill requests a Wyoming Constitutional amendment about Mineral taxes. WAM will monitor to see if impacts the ability of the legislature to appropriate funds.

WAM ACTION: 1/23/17, Bill failed, testimony notneeded--RK

This bill modifies the use of reserve accounts to cover budget shortfalls.  WAM will closely monitor and evaluate to determine potential effect on local government distribution.

This bill may assist local governments participation in constructing or acquiring natural gas pipelines or other utilities.  This is supported in WAM's 2017 legislative agenda.

WAM ACTION: 1/26/17, Rick Kaysen testified in support, SLIB did not approve funding.  Bill laid back, may be an interim topic.

This bill increases requirements for procurement practices but provides an on line notice mechanism.

WAM ACTION: 2/1/17, bill withdrawn by sponsor with no objections by the Corporations Committee.  WAM has committed to the sponsor to work on this issue if so requested.

This bill proposes to amend the WY Constitution to authorize the deposit of state funds in federal credit unions.

WAM ACTION: 1/25/17, bill died, lack of a motion.