Joint Agriculture Committee Meeting Summary (June 24 and 25, 2002)

The Joint Agriculture, Public Lands and Water Resources Interim Committee met on June 24 and 25,2002 in Torrington.  The Committee received information concerning a number of agriculture issues including conservation easements and the preservation of open spaces, forage compensation for wild game, biotechnology, agroterroriem, and the ethanol tax credit.   The Committee also discussed Wyoming’s Regulatory Takings Act, the Veterinary Practice Act, the education of small parcel irrigators, well driller and pump installation contractor licenses, recreational use fees for state lands, and proposed changes to the Governor’s Food Safety Council statutes. 

The Committee heard testimony regarding the delisting of the gray wolf and problems with loose stallions.  The committee was given an update on diseases affecting Wyoming’s livestock and wildlife.  The committee decided to send a letter to Wyoming’s congressional delegation urging them to support the livestock assistance program and request they change the bill so it does not include a two-year “rebuy” provision, because the drought may last longer than that.

The Committee will meet again September 16 and 17, 2002 in Rawlins to consider bills to set up a trust fund for wildlife forage compensation, extend the ethanol tax credit, amend the location regarding the sale of state lands, revise the Veterinary Practice Act, amend the Regulatory Takings Act, revise the Governor’s Food Safety Council provisions, and provide a fence-in provision for horses.

 (View Minutes)