DRAFT ONLY - APPROVAL PENDING

Wyoming Legislature
Committee Meeting Summary of Proceedings

Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Interim Committee

August 27, 2002                                                                                    Sheridan Holiday Inn

                                                                                                            Sheridan, Wyoming

Meeting Attendance (Present)

Committee Members

Senator Tom Kinnison, co-chair

Representative John Hines, co-chair

Senators Case, Goodenough and Hanes

Representatives Edwards, Huckfeldt, Illoway, McOmie, Petersen and Ross

Legislative Service Office

Emily Birtell Gardyasz and Carol Norris

Others Present

Please refer to Appendix 1 to review the Committee Sign-in Sheet for a list of other individuals who attended the meeting.

Meeting Attendance (Absent)

            Committee Members

Senator Harris and Representatives Diercks and McGraw

Written Meeting Materials and Handouts

All meeting materials and handouts provided to the Committee by the Legislative Service Office (LSO), public officials, lobbyists, and the public are referenced in the Meeting Materials Index, attached to the minutes. These materials are on file at the LSO and are part of the official record of the meeting. 

Call To Order

Chairman Kinnison called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. and roll call was taken.  Appendix 3.  The following sections summarize the Committee proceedings by topic.  Please refer to Appendix 2 to review the Committee Meeting Agenda.

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

The Committee received testimony from the following people regarding fire and building codes:

Jim Noel, State Fire Marshal

George Parks, Wyoming Association of Municipalities

Randy Adams, President, Wyoming Conference of Building Officials  (Appendix 4)

Rebecca Baker, International Code Council (ICC)

Ray Bizal, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)*  (Appendix 5)

Dwight Perkins, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials*

Michael Rickabaugh, City of Rock Springs  (Appendix 6)

Baron Glassgow, Rocky Mountain Propane Association*

Dallas Johnson, Wyoming Home Builders Association

Lisa Hubbard, architect, Council on Fire Prevention, Electrical Safety and Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Tim Belton, architect, Sheridan

Mitch Carter, President, Wyoming Home Builders Association

Toby Frey, Wyoming Propane Association*

Robert Symons, City of Sheridan

Phil Hancock, National Association of Home Builders

With the exception of those identified by an asterisk (*), each person that testified spoke in favor of adoption of the International Code Council (ICC) codes. 

The Committee discussed the adoption of the ICC codes as set forth in 03LSO-0082.W4 and the modifications for plan reviews by the State Fire Marshal set forth in 03LSO-0084.W2.  (Appendices 7 and 8)  The Committee also discussed building permits and fees.

The Committee directed the State Fire Marshal and Mr. Glassgow, representing the propane industry, to resolve concerns that the propane industry has with adoption of the ICC codes.  The Committee will work the two drafts at the next meeting.

Senator Case asked the State Fire Marshal to explain, at the next meeting, why hospitals are excluded from the State Fire Marshal's jurisdiction.

Dark sky legislation.  Senator Case explained the need for legislation to give counties and municipalities the option of regulating outdoor lighting.  (Appendices 9 and 10)

Erin Taylor, Pacific Power and Judy Eastman, Wyoming Rural Electric Association, testified against light regulation on the basis that different communities' light requirements will be an added cost to utilities.

Paul Birkholz, Sheridan, testified in favor of legislation giving communities an option to regulate lighting.

The Committee discussed the matter.  Senator Case moved that the Committee work the previous 2001 bill, SF 73 at the next meeting.  (See, appendix 9)  Representative Ross seconded.  Passed. 

Telecommunications.  (Local Access Transport Area (LATA) issues)

Deborah Hickley, Qwest and Barry Counts, Sprint testified before the Committee.  Ms. Hinckley provided the Committee the history of LATA lines and Qwest's request for LATA relief.  Mr. Counts testified in accord with his handout.  (Appendix 11)  The price of data circuits is driven by economics, not LATA lines.

Special Districts.  (GIS information available)

Allen Black and David Chapman, Department of Revenue, testified before the Committee, explaining the Department's GIS work as applied to special districts and other taxing entities.  (Appendices 12 and 13)  Mr. Chapman explained that the Department works closely with county assessors to locate special districts that levy a tax.  Problems exist statewide with various taxing entities.  Mr. Black testified that no enforcement mechanism exists to ensure that taxing entities comply with the law.  The Committee discussed the matter.

Senator Kinnison directed the Department to work with LSO staff to bring proposed legislation to the next meeting that will give the Department the necessary authority to resolve GIS problems that exist with special districts.

The next meeting will be in late October, Casper.

Meeting Adjournment

There being no further business, Chairman Kinnison adjourned the meeting at approximately 3:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Senator Tom Kinnison, Chair