Joint Transportation Committee Meeting Summary (October 28-29, 2002)

The Joint Transportation and Highways Interim Committee met on October 28 and 29, 2002 in Cheyenne.  The Committee will sponsor several pieces of legislation in order to fund multi-lane highways around the state and legislation to increase fines for the unlawful use of diesel fuel.

The Committee will also sponsor several draft proposals regarding homeland security.  The committee will sponsor draft legislation regarding the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) that would allow states to receive and provide assistance to other states during emergency situations and draft legislation on the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Act, which would provide advanced training for volunteer and paid firefighters responding to hazardous materials spills and accidents. 

The Committee will sponsor mutual aid proposed legislation that would allow the state to enter into agreements with adjoining states to assist law enforcement and amendments to the Public Records Act that would allow various information that might assist terrorists’ attacks to be exempt from public disclosure.  The Committee will also sponsor legislation that gives the state health officer greater authority in a time of a public health emergency.  The Committee will sponsor changes to the public communications system.  The Committee will sponsor legislation that will give the management of Wyoming’s emergency management assistance program directly to the governor instead of the National Guard.  The Committee will not meet again during the 2002 interim.