FIFTY-SIXTH WYOMING LEGISLATURE

APPROVED INTERIM COMMITTEE STUDIES

2002 Interim

 

JOINT JUDICIARY INTERIM COMMITTEE

 

Topic 1:           Corrections System Review

 

In light of  prison overcrowding and the transfer of inmates out-of-state, the Committee will look at sentencing and the state-wide handling of corrections, including parole and alternative corrections.  The Committee will tour current facilities and consider alternatives that could move more prisoners out of the existing facilities and into more productive environments.

 

Topic 2:           Title 14 Revisions

 

The Committee is to review recommendations from the comprehensive review of juvenile statutes undertaken by the working group established last interim by the Department of Family Services.

 

Topic 3  Uniform Trust Act

 

A comprehensive review of Wyoming trust provisions, including the Rule against Perpetuities and the Uniform Trust Code, to address problems with respect to estate planning.

 

 

 

JOINT APPROPRIATIONS INTERIM COMMITTEE

 

Topic 1:           State employee benefits.

 

The Committee is to examine the methods used to develop budget requests for various benefits such as group insurance. Additionally, the Committee is to examine the costs associated with all employee benefits such as insurance, deferred compensation and longevities.

 

Topic 2:           State information technology.

 

The Committee is to work with the executive branch to develop a more cohesive, coordinated approach to providing information technology equipment and services for state agencies in the future.

 

Topic 3:           Budget documents and format.

 

The Committee is to work with staff and the budget office to insure the new capital construction component of the budget system presents the information on state capital construction projects in an appropriate manner. Additionally, work will continue on improving the overall budget format and presentation.

 

Topic 4:           K-12 Capital construction projects as required by legislation passed in the 2002 session.

 

Pending legislation may require the Committee is to develop recommendations for remedies for several school district capital construction projects. The Committee is to meet and hire professional services as necessary to accomplish this task. 

 

Topic 5:           State institutions.

 

The Committee is to tour institutions to view how the appropriations have been spent over the past several years; in particular, those institutions that have received substantial increases in budgets for capital construction or deferred maintenance projects.

 

Topic 6:  County emergency fire suppression formula.

 

The Committee is to examine the formula used to assess fees to the counties for the emergency fire suppression account.

 

 

Topic 7:  Wyoming public TV.

 

The Committee is to follow-up the program evaluation recommendations on public TV.

 

 

JOINT REVENUE INTERIM COMMITTEE

 

Topic 1.           Tax and revenue sources to meet the needs of the state.

 

Study tax and revenue sources sufficient to meet the needs of Wyoming, present and future, including analysis of the ramifications of the various revenue options.  Include study of who pays what taxes.  The Committee is to identify, analyze and recommend sufficient permanent revenue sources to meet the funding needs of the state.

 

Topic 2.           Valuation of minerals.

 

Study the valuation of minerals including the tax structure of minerals (single tax, state/county relationship, ad valorem tax being paid late to counties, and counties having to collect from interest owners rather than operators); non-arms length processed gas; review confidentiality statutes so the Dept. of Revenue can use information for comparable sales method.  The Committee is to work on the mineral valuation issues begun by the Select Committee on Mineral Valuation and Taxation.  (Note:  The Committee will be coordinating the mineral issues with the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Interim Committee).

 

Topic 3.           Taxation of telecommunications services.

 

Study taxation of telecommunications services including state assessed vs. locally assessed services.  The Committee is to study and clear-up any confusion between state and locally assessed telecommunications services.

 

Topic 4.           Miscellaneous taxation issues.

 

Study miscellaneous taxation issues including clarifying inventory exemption for mobile and modular homes; filing personal property reports for businesses; 4-lane highway financing including fuel taxes; other issues from the Department of Revenue.

 

 

 

JOINT EDUCATION INTERIM COMMITTEE

 

Topic 1.           SF0051 Studies:

 

Vocation Education:  Receipt of State Department of Education study report on vocational education data, information and recommendations for establishment of cost-based funding model component by November 1.  Development of cost-based model funding component and report recommendations to Management Council by December 15.

 

Reading Assessment & Intervention:  Development of cost-based model funding component and report recommendations to Management Council by December 15.

 

Special Education:  State Department of Education is to develop and review special education data, for subsequent development of cost-based special education model component by Joint Education Interim Committee, and report to Management Council by December 15.

 

At-Risk Study:  State Department of Education is to review funding component criteria and report findings to Joint Education Interim Committee by November 1.

 

Small Schools:

State Superintendent of Public Instruction is to report recommendations on school co-location under small school adjustment to Joint Education Interim Committee by November 1.  Based upon information from the state department, department of audit and school districts, the Joint Education Interim Committee is to report recommendations on small school adjustment to cost-based model to Management Council by December 15.

 

Regional Cost Adjustment:  Receipt of report on regional cost adjustment instrument or modification of WCLI by Division of Economic Analysis on November 1.

 

Certified Staff Compensation:  Based upon data assembled by November 1, Joint Education Interim Committee is to report recommendations on certified staff component with cost-based model to Management Council by December 15.

 

Data Facilitation and Resolution Forum:  Joint Education Interim Committee is to acquire facilitator to conduct forum on data used in cost-based model and to receive report by June 15, 2002.

 

Topic 2.           Federal Education Initiative Issues:

 

Mandatory Student Assessment in grades 3 through 8;

School Improvement Programs through Rewards and Sanctions;

Teacher-Paraprofessional Certification.

 

Topic 3.           University of Wyoming/Community Colleges

 

 

 

JOINT AGRICULTURE, PUBLIC LANDS AND WATER RESOURCES INTERIM COMMITTEE

 

Topic 1:           Takings clause and regulatory agencies information.

 

A study of takings in general; in particular, with regard to whether agencies are complying with the Wyoming Regulatory Takings Act; to determine if recreational users of state lands should be paying a fee; to determine the consumptive uses of wildlife and its effect upon agriculture.

 

Topic 2:           Bio-technology study.

 

A study of bio-technology and how it affects agriculture. The committee will obtain information regarding bio—technology and its assistance in the control of noxious plants.

 

Topic 3:           Veterinarian practice act.

 

A study on whether the veterinarian practice act needs to be revised because of modern technology and scientific developments making some of the statutory requirements obsolete.

 

Topic 4:           Bio-terrorism.

 

A study of bio-terrorism; what new diseases might impact agriculture and affect veterinary practices.

 

Topic 5:           Small parcel irrigators-education.

 

A study of small parcel irrigators and a study of various methods by which they could be educated regarding irrigation regulations in order to prevent water waste.

 

Topic 6:           Encouragement of agricultural producers.

 

A study of methods to encourage agricultural producers in the state and also attract new agricultural producers, i.e. by looking at, among other methods, conservation easements and zoning restrictions.

 

 

JOINT TRAVEL, RECREATION, WILDLIFE AND CULTURAL RESOURCES INTERIM COMMITTEE

 

Topic 1:  Game and Fish issues

 

The Committee is to study the issues of funding for the Game and Fish, including reviewing accounting practices, the various license fees and associated fees, and alternative funding sources for Game and Fish Department duties.  License issues related to methods of issuance, such as preference points, will also be reviewed.

 

Topic 2:  State parks and tourism issues

 

The Committee is to review jurisdiction and enforcement activities related to snowmobile, ATV and motorcycle use, including use crossing state lines.  The Committee also is to review the State Parks and Historic Sites budget and expenditure process for providing assistance to local special events at various state parks and historic sites.  Included within this issue is a review and attempt to address funding issues related to the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Park.

 

 

JOINT CORPORATIONS, ELECTIONS AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS INTERIM COMMITTEE

 

Topic 1.  Fire and Building Codes, Permits, Home Rule, including Dark Sky Legislation.

 

The committee is to study and develop a statewide consensus regarding codes and related issues.  See SF 41 (which failed).

 

Topic 2:  Special Districts.

 

The Committee is to gather information on special districts across the state including mapping and find all special districts with GIS assistance.

 

Topic 3.  REA Rates.

 

The committee is to address whether cooperatives should be exempt from rate regulation.  See, HB 116.

 

Topic 4:  Telecommunications.

 

Local Access Transport Area (LATA) issues to be addressed.

 

 

JOINT TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAYS INTERIM COMMITTEE

 

Topic 1:  Multi-lane highways.

 

The committee is to study the feasibility of adding an additional system of multi-lane [three lanes or more] highways to the existing state highway system.  Also it will study possible funding solutions and standards for an expanded highway system including a study of the WDOT project priority system.

 

Topic 2:  Transportation-hazardous materials.

 

The committee is to study the effects of shipments, using any form of transportation, of nuclear fuel and other hazardous materials across the state.

 

Topic 3:  Homeland security.

 

The committee is to do a comprehensive study regarding Homeland security issues including radio transmissions, highway patrol responsibilities, border crossings and agreements with other states.

 

Topic 4:  Improper use of exempt fuels.

 

The committee is to study the problem of persons using exempt fuels for nonexempt purposes.

 

Topic 5:  Effect of NAFTA.

 

The committee is to investigate and study whether WYDOT has the authority to restrict, prohibit, control or inspect trucks being driven pursuant to NAFTA.

 

 

JOINT MINERALS, BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INTERIM COMMITTEE

 

Topic 1:  Mineral tax and valuation

 

The topic involves a review of several issues unresolved by the Mineral Tax and Valuation Committee as noted below. The issues were divided between the Joint Minerals Committee and the Joint Revenue Committee. The committees determined that the issues could be best addressed through the committees holding overlapping meetings.  The following were initially assigned to the Minerals Committee.

·        Coal, point of valuation captive mines valuation.

·        Valuation of “brokered coal”.

·        DOR authority to pick a valuation method for coal.

·        Valuation of Trona.

·        Valuation of Bentonite.

 

Topic 2:  Business Council

 

·        Energy Commission. The committee is to take testimony from the Business Council and the Energy Commission relating to issues common to both.

·        Economic benefit of improved transportation. The committee is to take testimony from the Business Council and UW Business School relating to airline service in the state. The committee is to integrate the new report with existing information into one report.  The committee is to take testimony on the economic benefit of improved highways in the state.

·        UW Technology Center. The University of Wyoming will present a Level 2 feasibility study of the Wyoming Technology Business Center.

·        The committee is to request the entities to specify in writing specific legislation needed to further economic development in the areas discussed. The committee then will review and recommend any necessary legislation.

 

Topic 3:  Bd. Prof. Engineers and Land Surveyors; Bd. of Geologists

The committee is to review issues relating to jurisdiction between the two boards and recommend necessary legislation.

 

Topic 4:  State Mining Council

The committee is to review issues with respect to the council's authority and make recommendations for any necessary legislation based upon specific input from the council.

 

Topic 5:  Banking

The Division of Banking is to provide written and oral presentation of the issues and specific written proposals for amendments to the statutes to bridge gaps between the banking statutes and the Business Corporations Act. The committee will review and make recommendations for any necessary legislation.

 

Topic 6:  UW Public Policy Institute

Examine the creation of a public policy institute at UW to provide non-partisan, in-depth research on issues of statewide importance.

 

 

JOINT LABOR, HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES INTERIM COMMITTEE

 

Topic 1:  Health Care Costs

 

The Committee is to study issues related to the rising cost of medical care in the state, including issues related to rising health insurance premiums, uncompensated care, the scope of the KidCare Program, health care provider shortages, wages and salaries of health care staff, long-term continuing care in nursing homes, senior centers, and other related issues.

 

Topic 2:  Medicaid

 

The Committee is to review the Medicaid program because recent expansions of authorized services have placed a burden on the ability of the State to meet the needs of eligible Wyoming citizens. The Committee may form a joint subcommittee with the Joint Appropriations Committee to look at cost containment in the program , the scope of services provided and any changes in federal requirements that may impact the efforts of the State to control costs.

 

 

Topic 3: Federal Compliance Issues

 

The Committee is to study proposed changes in federal programs with respect to unemployment insurance, job programs, welfare reform and prescription drugs. The Committee is to gauge the impact of federal mandates on state programs and responsibilities and to respond to those federal initiatives with appropriate draft legislation.

 

 

 

SELECT COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL FINANCING AND INVESTMENTS

 

In addition to its statutory duties, the Select Committee is to pursue the following:

 

Topic 1:  Follow-up on activities from prior interim

 

 

Topic 2:  Process for developing building projects

 

Review a common process for developing building projects including: prioritizing capital facilities projects, requests to plan for projects, developing the plan for the project and building the facility.

 

Topic 3:  Major maintenance

 

Examine the relationship between capital facilities construction and major maintenance. In general building a new building reduces the need for the latter and accounting needs to be taken of this relationship.

 

Topic 4:  Local government capital financing

 

Explore avenues to assist counties and other local government entities with limited resources in meeting their capital facilities needs.

 

Topic 5:  State treasurer issues

 

 

 

SELECT TRIBAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE

 

Topic 1:  Taxation issues.

 

A study of state taxation in connection with tribal sovereignty.  The committee is to study the correlation between taxes and benefits in order to determine if the ratio is fair.  The committee is to study property and severance taxes in relation to the tribes.

 

Topic 2:  Tribal health issues.

 

A study of tribal health issues and how those issues impact the tribes and the surrounding communities.  The committee is to obtain information regarding tribal health issues and continue to support funding efforts.

 

Topic 3:  Right-of-way and utilities issues.

 

A study involving right-of-way issues and utility development in conjunction with tribal sovereignty.

 

Topic 4:  Water development issues.

 

A study of water development issues on the reservation in conjunction with the water development commission and tribal sovereignty.

 

Topic 5:  Tribal gaming.

 

The committee shall serve as a liaison for the legislature in the gaming negotiations between the governor and the tribes.

 

 

SELECT COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

 

 

The following Committees are to continue with their regular interim assignments:

 

Management Audit Committee

Select Committee on Legislative Facilities

Select Committee on the Legislature

Select Water Committee

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