This bill addresses supplemental appropriations for the operation of state government, increasing or decreasing amounts, adjusting positions, modifying prior or making additional appropriations, certain appropriations subject to terms and conditions, transfers certain funds.

WAM ACTION: 2/27/17, bill adopted by the House COW 45-15 as amended, Joint Appropriations Conference Committee approved unanimously earlier in the day.   

WAM ACTION: 2/13/17, bill passed the House COW 46-14 as amended. 

WAM ACTION: 2/6/17, bill introduced and COW began working the bill, and will work bill through 2/10/17. Amendments for Second Reading must be submitted 2/7 by 5PM, and fro Third Reading 2/9 by 5PM. WAM has two amendments regarding water development funds, and is working with sponsors for the amendments.

This bill requires a fiscal note be attached for legislation that would create a mandate or formula change that creates a financial and personnel impact to a city or town.  The fiscal note should contain an estimate of the financial impact to the state, city, town or other entity that the bill addresses. 

This bill (sponsored by Capital Finance and Investment) identifies changes to revenue streams/percentages over the next five years.  WAM will monitor as a priority bill to ensure no changes or amendments are introduced that would impact local government's current allocations. 

This bill details the proposed appropriations of funds for select school facilities.  This bill proposes that $80M be transferred from LSRA with additional funding for capital construction, land acquisition, and other costs equally ~$4.65M.  WAM will monitor to see if creates impacts on the local government funding from LSRA or local infrastructure projects.  

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 redirects severance taxes from PWMTF to General Fund and reduces severance tax on surface coal from 7% to 6%.  WAM will watch to see if sets precedence with PWMTF allocations. 

This bill is not brought forth by the WY Mining Assoc nor the mining industry.  They are not speaking against a tax reduction, but neither is addressing.  WAM will remain neutral as well and monitor.  

This bill sets limits on the use of the LSRA. WAM opposes since it would prevent any appropriations for local governments in future bienniums.

WAM UPDATE: 1/31/17 JAC did not approve to move the bill, "stayed in the drawer" 

This bill alters the role of the Dept. of Revenue and reduces state control of the distribution and sale of alcohol.

WAM ACTION: 1/23/17, Rick Kaysen attended, available testimony time used liquor association and DOR, Bill failed 9-0.

This bill alters the taxation of industrial and all other property rates and distributions.

WAM ACTION: 1/30/17, bill passed 7-2 despite strong opposition from many entities.  

This bill proposes to increase the tax on alcoholic beverages, and revises the distribution of those taxes with 22% to the general fund and 78% to the school foundation.

WAM ACTION: 2/1/17, bill passed the Revenue Committee 5-4.

The tax on tobacco increases and could, due to reduction in consumption, result in decreases in local revenues.

WAM Action Taken: 1/25/17 Laurie Heath testified in general support.  Bill failed in committee 

This legislation changes the proceeds flowing to local governments by splitting the 1% in half with half going to the General Fund.  

WAM UPDATE: 1/27/17, bill was not heard 1/27 because of time constraints, planned to be heard 1/31.  An amendment is to be proposed to reduce the one-half of one percent (.5%) to one-quarter of one percent (.25%).

This bill changes the disposition of assets forfeited and distributes any retained to the state General Fund from a municipal or county entity.

WAM ACTION: 1/26/17, Rick Kaysen testified in opposition along with the WCCA and WAS&CP, bill laid back, uncertain if bill will be brought back per Committee Chairman.

This bill reduces the ability of supplemental budget requests and could prevent changes during the biennium.

WAM UPDATE: 1/27/17, bill failed on 6-1 vote, sponsors encouraged to work on changes for future consideration.

This bill addresses education funding through revisions of the existing formula, provides for additional revenue through cut backs and 0.5% sales tax, establishes a joint select committee on funding, requires reports, provides appropriations, and provides for a sunset date.

WAM ACTION: 1/31/17, bill continued to be worked.

WAM ACTION: 1/30/17, after 3 hours of testimony and beginning to work the bill, the bill was laid back for a date and time to be determined.  Three parts to this bill 1) revenue increases, 2) reductions, 3) creation of a select committee. Education officials are concerned over more reductions, focus on students, special education needs, local boards make better decisions, recalibration.  Education funding is a $400m per year issue, and school funds are near broke if not broke.  Need to use rainy day funds to support education.

This bill relates to school financing, implementing a sales tax on specified services, provides for revenue distribution from the tax to the school capital construction account.

WAM ACTION: 1/30/17, bill failed 9-0. 

This bill provides an appropriation of $25M from the LSRA to the economic development account within the revolving investment funds, specifies use of a portion of the appropriation. The initial bill requires not less than $5M to be used to increase broadband services across the state.

WAM ACTION: 3/1/17, House concurred with Senate confernce committee, bill adopted.    

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

WAM ACTION: 1/30/17 Laurie Heath testified in support reminding that if broadband was budgeted to consider increasing connectivity then consider connections into the municipal government buildings. Bill was amended to remove the broadband earmark language and passed 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 raises taxes on alcohol to support funding of Children's Trust Fund, Court Supervised Treatment and Juvenile Services.

WAM ACTION: 2/1/17, bill failed the Revenue Committee 5-4.