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 (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 may effect the revenues of local governments and zoning or local ordinances dealing with mobile homes.

WAM ACTION: Passed 3rd reading in Senate

WAM ACTION:WAM ACTION: 2/14/17, bill passed Senate Corporations Committee 8-1.   

WAM ACTION: 1/20/17, Bill was amended, support from Realtors Assoc, Banker's Assoc, no need for WAM to testify--RK

WAM ACTION: 2/9/17 Bill was again amended to secure continuum of interest or 'paper trail' to give assurance to lenders while not holding up the process for the mobile home seller.   

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 requires county clerks and commissioners to adopt procedures for absentee ballots.  WAM will monitor as it may have an effect on municipal clerks for special elections. 

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 adds municipal judges in first class cities under current election and retention policies similar to other appointed local government positions.  This creates concerns and questions as how the first class city is to provide funding and oversight of the judge.  Also, if the bill would pass it could require changes in ordinances and codes regarding city appointed positions. WAM's position is the municipal judge should remain as an appointed city position.

WAM ACTION: 2/3/17, bill failed COW on third reading 30-29-1 excused. 

WAM ACTION: 2/2/17, bill passed COW, no discussion, to third reading.

WAM ACTION: 1/31/17, Rick Kaysen testified in opposition of this bill, discussion on separation of power by sponsors as well as philosophical beliefs of right to vote, bill passed Committee 6-3.  

Bill failed 30-29 

Bill adds language for compliance in employment contracts; permitting the time period for payment of wages upon termination of employment to be specified in a collective bargaining agreement.

WAM ACTION: 2/3/17, Rick Kaysen testified that WAM has no issue s with the bill, passed Labor Committee 5-0.

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 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 appears to have the ability to present challenges to municipalities when dealing with employee discrimination law or situations.  Additionally, WAM's opposes this bill with the intent to keep Wyoming's laws and appearance as friendly and equal when it pertains to economic development opportunities.

WAM UPDATE: 1/26/17, this bill was withdrawn by its sponsors, may go to interim topic.  

This bill repeals gun free zones on any public college or university campus.

WAM ACTION: 2/15/17, Rick Kaysen testified in opposition to the bill, bill passed Senate Judiciary 4-1. 

WAM ACTION: 2/1/17, bill passed the House as amended 40-19-1, amendment allows for permits issued outside of WY to carry on campus and changes weapon to firearms.

WAM ACTION: 1/24/17, Rick Kaysen testified in opposition to the Bill, Bill passed 6-3.

1/30/17 An amendment failed that would give trustees the authority to determine concealed carry rules and locations.  Bill passed General File, 1st reading. 

This bill repeals gun free zones for governmental entity meetings and the Wyoming legislature.  WAM's position in the 2016 legislative session was to allow local governing bodies the ability to determine gun free zones.

WAM ACTION: 3/1/17, House did not concur with Senate, headed toward conference committee, no date schedlued for committee meeting.    

WAM ACTION: 2/27/17 Sen Von Flatern presented two amendments to give local control to local government into HB137 with the testimony that it would match the HB194 that gives local school boards local control and the existing local control to community colleges and university.  Both amendments failed.  A 3rd amendment to allow local government to add electronic security also failed. The proponents of the bill stated they were upholding their Constitution right to bear arms. The bill passed repealing gun free zones in government meetings by the Senate COW 20-10.  

WAM ACTION: 2/25/17 Requested Sen Von Flatern present an amendment to add in language allowing local control for elected officials.  A similar amendment was presented by Sen Burns on 2/24/17 but failed. 

WAM ACTION: 2/23/17 Passed COW in Senate 16-14

WAM ACTION: 2/15/17, Rick Kaysen testified in opposition to the bill, bill passed Senate Judiciary 4-1.  

Rick WAM ACTION: 2/1/17, bill passed the House as amended 47-13, amendment allows for permits issued outside of WY to carry on campus and changes weapon to firearms. 

WAM ACTION: 1/24/17, Rick Kaysen testified in opposition to the Bill, Bill passed 8-1 as amended to remove private property from the language. 1/30/17 Bill passed General File, 1st reading with amendment to remove private property - applies to public entities. 

WAM ACTION: 2/15/17 Rick Kaysen testified to allow local control to determine the rules for their community. Bill passed 4-1 out of Judiciary Committee.  On General File for 2/16/17 

This bill increases the minimum wage from $5.15 to $950 per hour, for tipped employees raise from $2.13 to $5.50 per hour.

WAM ACTION: 1/31/17, bill failed the COw 40-20. 

This bill increases the tax per cigarettes from $.006 to $.009 with the increase of distribution to municipalities from 33 1/3% to 74 1/2%.

WAM Action Taken: 1/25/17 Laurie Heath testified in support stressing although this is small revenue, WAM should support any revenue change. 

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.

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 implements an auction process for retail liquor license issuance and sets new limits for transfer and renewal fees.  WAM is in contact with Rep Walters suggesting local license authority explicitly explained and the 'shall' changed to 'may'.  WAM will testify once in committee.

WAM ACTION: 1/30/17, Rick Kaysen testified stating WAM has several concerns with the bill as presented, made suggestions on several amendments, bill laid over until 1/31/17 (time constraints), Rick will formally present amendments 1/31/17.

WAM UPDATE: 1/31/17, Bill failed 7-2.

This bill provides $100K for grants to local governments preparing for the solar eclipse day in 2017.

WAM ACTION: 1/27/17, Rick Kaysen testified in support, bill was amended to not provide administrative days for state employees, and allows Homeland Security to address matching grants. Bill passed 5-4.

WAM UPDATE: 1/31/17 Bill moved from Appropriations to House with an amendment to take the funding from the Homeland Security accounts.   

This bill allows each school district to determine if a school employee can carry a concealed weapon to protect the school.  As relates to WAM, the HB137 or HB136 amendments or discussions does not allow such local control.

WAM ACTION: 2/1/17, bill passed the House 46-14, no amendments.

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.