This bill removes the tax exemption currently on equipment related to lodging tax to outfitters, excise tax from transmitting radio waves, aircraft leases/repair, and coal gasification.  WAM supports tax exemptions related to economic development.  

WAM Action Taken: 1/16/17 Laurie Heath attended the subcommittee, bill failed in whole 

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 

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 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 adds $4 tax on wind development projects to the existing $1 tax.  WAM's position is to leave the existing $1 tax but do not add additional tax that would reduce incentives for economic development.  This is consistent with WAM's 2017 legislative agenda.

WAM ACTION: 1/23/17, Rick Kaysen testified in opposition to the Bill, Bill failed on a 7-2 vote.  

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WAM UPDATE: 1/26/17, this bill was withdrawn by its sponsors, may go to interim topic.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 allows up to 50% of the 4% lodging tax receipts that are voted by local election.  The funds could be split between tourism and the other for other local government general fund activities.

1/20/17 This bill failed in committee  

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 appears to complicate already working practices between the municipal and county extraterritorial jurisdiction.  Currently, the county commissioners can nullify municipal ordinances in the 1/2 mile radius.  WAM was asked to prepare testimony with 3-4 examples where the extraterritorial jurisdiction is important for the city or county, and why.

WAM ACTION: 1/26/17, Mayor Summerville and Rick Kaysen testified, bill passed 3-2 with two amendments, bill is problematic for munis.

WAM UPDATE: 1/27/17, Senate passed bill as amended (no relief to munis), much debate on why needed, confusion may still exist on why this is needed.  WAM will lobby 2nd and 3rd reading in Senate and then full House.  Encourage members to contact legislators

WAM UPDATE: 1/31/17, Bill killed in third reading 16-14.  WAM and WCCA already in discussions to coordinate future issues.   

Bill would allow for lower receipts from vehicle registration for high value added components.  This is applicable for vehicles with a factory price plus special equipment value greater than $75,000.

This bill increases eligibility of small water projects to receive funding upon approval of the legislature.

WAM ACTION: 2/28/17, bill failed House on General File, indefinitely postponed, possible interim topic.   

WAM ACTION: 1/261/7, bill passed with inclusive amendments 4-1, amendments to be refined by LSO.

WAM ACTION: 2/14/17 Laurie Heath testified in opposition of this bill since it changes the approval process to seemingly offer the Legislature to decide small water projects without the input of the WDC.  If the bill was moved as is, it could compete with the large water projects that benefit the cities and towns.  It was a shared opinion from Conservation Districts, Stock Growers, and Farm Bureau to look at this during the interim.  Bill passed