60th WYOMING LEGISLATURE
INTERIM COMMITTEE STUDIES
2010 INTERIM
JOINT JUDICIARY INTERIM COMMITTEE
Standard Budget: $32,500.00
Priority # 1 Wind Energy Rights
Issues related to property rights, dominance of estates and severance of estates in the development of wind energy are becoming increasingly important in Wyoming. The Committee proposes to consider these issues and possibly develop legislation for consideration for the 2011 General Session.
Priority # 2 Court Ordered Placements of Juveniles
The Department of Family Services is required to conduct a study of child caring facilities and the process for determining placement of juveniles in the custody of the Department pursuant to 2010 House Bill 0001. Although the resulting report is not required to be submitted to the Joint Judiciary Interim Committee and the Joint Appropriations Committee until July 1, 2011, the Joint Judiciary Interim Committee proposes to consider the role of courts in the placement of juveniles during the 2010 interim and will request interim updates on the progress of the DFS study, including consideration of any legislation that may be developed for the 2011 General Session.
Priority # 3 Parole Options
The new medium security prison in Torrington has opened and is being rapidly filled, due in part to the fact that Wyoming has a higher rate of incarceration than many other states. To address the increasing pressures created by a growing prison population, the Committee is proposing to review alternatives to current parole procedures to alleviate some of those pressures. Such alternatives may include proposing legislation to authorize short-term return to prison for treatment, authorizing street time credit for time spent on the sentence while on probation or parole and authorizing home incarceration for certain types of offenders.
Priority # 4 Stream-lined Court Procedures for Claims Below a Specified Amount
Current trends in pretrial discovery have made the cost of pursuing claims prohibitive for many claimants to the point that the cost of pretrial discovery may equal or exceed the damages sought. To address this issue, the Committee would like to study what other states have done to limit pretrial discovery and depositions to enable people to have quicker and lower cost access to the courts when damages sought do not exceed a specified amount to be determined.
Priority # 5 Sex Offender Restrictions
If 2010 House Bill 0083, Crimes and offenses-restrictions for adult sex offenders, is not enacted into law, the Committee would propose studying what other states are doing with respect to restrictions on sex offenders who live in the community and the consequences of those restrictions to determine what may best work for the citizens of Wyoming.
Priority # 6 Miscellaneous Reports
The Committee will be receiving a number of reports in the 2010 interim, including reports from: The Department of Corrections, relating to sex offender management techniques; the Victim Services Division, relating to provider reporting requirements; the Attorney General, relating to compliance with SORNA (the Adam Walsh Act); the Department of Transportation, relating to the issue of drivers canceling vehicle insurance policies after registering a vehicle; and, from sheriffs, relating to progress on meeting new requirements for juvenile detention facilities. These reports may propose or require legislative action.
Priority # 7 DNA Evidence
The Committee will review the issue of "Compensation of persons exonerated as a result of DNA evidence." [Topic added by Management Council 9/3/2010]
JOINT APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
Standard Budget: $20,000.00
Priority # 1 Budget Process
The Committee will consider development of a manual and will review timelines for JAC and overall budget procedures.
Priority # 2 Retirement Issues
The Committee will examine the viability of current systems and the potential for cost of living allowances in future years.
Priority # 3 Abandoned Mine Lands (AML)
The Committee will receive information updates on prior appropriations, future funding availability and funding requests.
Priority # 4 School Facilities Commission
The Committee will receive updates on the progress of the reorganization of the School Facilities Commission and will hold a public hearing on the proposed plan.
Priority # 5 External Cost Adjustment (ECA)
The Committee will consider establishing the K-12 external cost adjustment for the 2011-2012 school year.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The Committee anticipates two 2-day meetings and an additional 1-day meeting or video conference.
JOINT REVENUE INTERIM COMMITTEE
Standard Budget: $25,000.00
Priority # 1 Wind Taxation
The Committee will review issues related to the taxation of energy generated from wind and wind facilities and will consider impact assistance issues.
Priority # 2 Manufacturing Tax Exemption
The Committee will review the manufacturing tax exemption and consider the development of a general process for the review of other tax exemptions or exclusions for use in future interims.
Priority # 3 Tax 2010
The Committee will review the report generated by the Tax Reform 2000 Committee and will seek updated information related to the report for 2010 as necessary.
Priority # 4 Mineral Taxation
The Committee will consider various issues related to mineral taxation. The Committee will particularly consider issues related to the taxation of natural gas.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The Committee would like to have three 2-day meetings, one meeting in May or June, one in August and one in December.
JOINT EDUCATION INTERIM COMMITTEE
Standard Budget: $30,000.00
Priority # 1 Distance Education
The Committee will consider distance education issues including virtual schools and distance education delivery systems.
Priority # 2 Student Achievement
The Committee will consider issues related to student achievement including elementary school foreign language, fine arts, charter schools and the Hathaway success curriculum.
Priority # 3 Receive and Consider Reports
The Committee will receive reports from the Department of Education and other entities as required by law and will take any necessary action regarding those reports.
JOINT AGRICULTURE, STATE AND PUBLIC LANDS AND WATER RESOURCES INTERIM COMMITTEE
Standard Budget: $25,000.00
Priority # 1 Water Resources
A. Water rights on federal lands – The Committee will consider the impacts and effects of water rights on federal lands.
B. Water rights - The Committee will explore steps to prevent federal encroachment on Wyoming water rights.
C. Produced water and injection of water – The Committee will continue its consideration of the beneficial use of water produced from coal bed methane wells and consider the impacts of injected water.
D. State Engineer – The Committee will consider issues from the State Engineer, including the ability to transfer water rights within an irrigation district.
Priority # 2 Livestock
A. Animal welfare - The Committee will continue its two year study of animal welfare, pet animal care and facilities and the responsibility of the Wyoming Livestock Board in managing pet animals.
B. Veterinarian Practice Act – The Committee will consider revisions to the Veterinary Practice Act.
C. Animal identification – As a result of changes in federal programs, the Committee will consider actions necessary to ensure animal disease trace back.
Priority # 3 Department of Agriculture
A. Wyoming Food Freedom Act – The Committee will consider the impacts of licensing and inspections of farmers markets and community events. This study is a result of discussion from the proposed bill during the 2010 Session.
B. Weeds and pests – The Committee will consider revisions to the weed and pest statutes.
C. Livestock remedies – The Committee will continue its two year study to consider revisions or repeals to these statutes.
D. Fencing – The Committee will consider revisions to the fencing statutes.
Priority # 4 Forest Resources and Other Topics
A. Pine beetle damage – The Committee will consideration potential uses for timber damaged and killed by pine beetles.
B. The Committee will consider reports and other topics as necessary from the agencies.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The Committee plans to meet on the following dates:
April 19 & 20, 2010 – Dubois
October 4 & 5, 2010 – Buffalo
JOINT TRAVEL, RECREATION, WILDLIFE AND CULTURAL RESOURCES INTERIM COMMITTEE
Standard Budget: $32,500.00
Priority # 1 Game and Fish topics
The committee will address the following issues related to the game and fish department:
Priority # 2 State Parks and Cultural Resources
The committee will address the following issues related to the department of state parks and cultural resources:
Priority # 3 Gambling
The committee will look into various issues related to gambling including:
Priority # 4 Department of Tourism
The committee will receive a report and presentation on the Department of Tourism's master plan. No legislation is anticipated from this topic.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The committee proposes three 2-day meetings as follows:
JOINT CORPORATIONS, ELECTIONS AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS INTERIM COMMITTEE
Standard Budget: $32,500.00
Priority # 1 Elections
The committee will address various issues involving the election code including:
Priority # 2 Redistricting Monitoring - No Action
The committee will monitor the progress of the 2010 census and become educated on legal and logistical parameters with respect to redistricting.
Priority # 3 Insurance Department
The committee will review general issues raised by the Insurance department, including specifically:
Priority # 4 Telecommunications
The committee will consider issues related to funding and provision of 911 services including review of a recent 911 task force report. In addition, the committee will continue to monitor telecommunications regulation in light of the impending 2013 sunset date.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The committee tentatively proposes to meet for three 2-day meetings as follows:
JOINT TRANSPORTATION, HIGHWAYS AND MILITARY AFFAIRS INTERIM COMMITTEE
Standard Budget: $25,000.00
Priority # 1 Revision of Select Transportation Related Statutes
Consider statutory changes necessitated by amendments to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act.
Priority # 2 Reports to Committee
Receive various reports as required by statute as well as receive reports from the Department of Transportation and the Transportation Commission regarding: budgeting, I-80 seasonal and variable signage / speed control and the status of REAL ID.
Priority # 3 Veterans' Commission Statutes and Issues
Update Title 19 to accurately reflect current Commission duties and activities and review and make recommendations regarding the Veterans' Service Organization Department's Service Officers, their funding, operation, geographical placement and contractual relations.
Priority # 4 Gasoline / Diesel Tax Increase
Consider proposals for increases to the gasoline/diesel tax.
Priority # 5 Speed Control Authority On County Roads
Consider the authority granted to control speeds on county roads.
Priority # 6 Railroad Contract Carriers
Consider regulations concerning contract carriers for railroad employees.
Priority # 7 State Park Road Maintenance
Study and consider funding of roadways within state parks.
Miscellaneous: Issues identified that need clarification for further action and possible assignment by the Management Council:
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The Committee will have three, one and one-half day meetings during the interim. The meetings are tentatively scheduled for June 9-10 in Evanston, August 12-13 in Casper and October 11-12 in Cheyenne.
JOINT MINERALS, BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Standard Budget: $27,500.00
Priority # 1 Continuation of Interim Study Topics
The Committee will continue consideration of interim topics started last interim:
A. HB0042 – Collection agencies.
B. SF0021 – Coal value added facilities-tax exemptions.
Priority # 2 Powder River Basin Tour
The Committee will tour surface mining and reclamation, including coal, uranium and bentonite. The Committee will also tour a new coal fired power plant, coal bed methane production and related issues, including gathering systems, pipelines and related water issues
Priority # 3 Reporting Agencies
A. DEQ – The Committee will consider permitting backlog, including coal bed methane, uranium, bentonite, air permits, water permits and pesticides and wind farm permits. The Committee will consider issues, concerns and impacts from federal actions on DEQ and other state agencies, including economic impacts and the effects on wildlife and endangered species. The Committee will continue its review of landfills.
B. Business Council – The Committee will review the mission, organization and results of the Business Council, including economic development reporting.
C. University of Wyoming – The Committee will continue its review of clean coal technology and the School of Energy Resources. The Committee will consider natural gas for fleet vehicles and the value of captured carbon.
D. Wyoming Pipeline Authority (WPA) and Wyoming Infrastructure Authority (WIA). The Committee will consider natural gas corridors, will review natural gas firming of resources, intermittent generation, location, transmission and storage. The Committee will review the WPA and the WIA and determine the appropriate means to transition the authority from a body corporate operating as a state instrumentality to a state agency.
Priority # 4 Public Construction statutes
The Committee will review Wyoming public construction statutes.
Priority # 5 Reports and Updates
The Committee will receive and consider reports and updates from various agencies.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The Committee plans to meet for 3 two-day meetings. One meeting will include a one day tour of the mines and facilities in the Gillette area.
JOINT LABOR, HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES INTERIM COMMITTEE
Standard Budget: $30,000.00
Priority # 1 Traditional Committee Assignments
The Committee's jurisdiction includes areas that require federal compliance or coordination, and that are the subject of numerous reports from executive branch agencies. The Committee will monitor and respond as needed to federal legislation and state agency reports.
Priority # 2 Community Health Centers
The Committee will review the functions, effectiveness and efficiency of community health centers in Wyoming, and whether the state should facilitate or encourage them.
Priority # 3 County Health Officers
The Committee will investigate state and county public health needs, and whether some Department of Health funding should be transferred to counties for public health functions of the Department that are performed by county health officers.
Priority # 4 Telehealth
The Committee will investigate licensure and reimbursement issues that arise from the provision of telehealth services, especially regarding mental health and substance abuse services.
Priority # 5 Interstate Purchases of Health Insurance
The implementation of 2010 House Bill 128, authorizing the Insurance Commissioner to enter into interstate consortiums for the purchase of health insurance across state lines, will be monitored. Consideration will be given especially to those state law protections that should be preserved and the effect of interstate competition on Wyoming insurers.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The Committee plans three 2-day meetings to be held in May, September and December.
MANAGEMENT COUNCIL
Standard Budget: $20,000.00
Priority # 1 Statutory Responsibilities
During the interim between sessions, the Management Council directs the LSO staff, monitors interim committee activities, reviews administrative rules, and oversees the budget and administrative affairs of the Legislature.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The Council typically schedules three 1-day meetings held in late spring, early fall and mid-December.
MANAGEMENT AUDIT COMMITTEE
Standard Budget: $20,000.00
Priority # 1 Statutory Responsibilities
Pursuant to statute, the Management Audit Committee directs the program evaluation function of the Legislature. This includes the selection of performance audit studies and direction of the LSO program evaluation staff.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The Committee typically schedules three to four 1-day meetings during the year.
SELECT WATER COMMITTEE
Standard Budget: $27,500.00
Priority # 1 Statutory Responsibilities
The Select Water Committee is required by statute to monitor the water development program, review project contracts and prepare annual legislation. The Committee is also required by statute to review and make recommendations regarding the project funding list under the Safe Drinking Water Revolving Fund program.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The Select Committee typically schedules a 2-day workshop and meeting in late spring; a 2-day workshop and meeting plus a tour in late summer; a 2-day workshop and joint meeting with the Water Development Commission in the fall; and a final 1-day meeting prior to the session to finalize legislation.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL FINANCING AND INVESTMENTS
Standard Budget: $15,000.00
Priority # 1 Statutory Responsibilities
The Select Committee on Capital Financing and Investments is charged by statute with monitoring the establishment and implementation of the state's investment and capital financing policies.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The Committee typically schedules two or three 1-day meetings during the year.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL FACILITIES
Standard Budget: $20,000.00
Priority # 1 School Facilities Commission Reorganization.
Pursuant to Budget Bill Section 341, the Select Committee is required to prepare a reorganization plan for the School Facilities Commission for submission to the Joint Appropriations Committee. The plan is to be submitted to JAC by September 1, together with enabling legislation, and is to include all components of the school capital construction system.
Priority # 2 School Facilities Commission budget and school facility remedies.
The Select Committee is by law required to review the School Facilities Commission budget on school facilities needs, and to review monthly reports depicting all school capital construction projects and component level projects funded and forwarded in the 2011-2012 budget. Any resulting budget recommendations are to be submitted to the Joint Appropriations Committee by September 1.
Priority # 3 School Capital Construction System Process.
Following through with 2009 audit findings on the School Facilities Commission, ensure the facility prioritization process and the scheduling of facility construction projects reflect legislative intent, with specific attention devoted to the impact of facility capacity on appropriately "sizing" facilities and responding to changing school populations, as well as the relationship of facility needs identification criteria and the subsequent determination of facility remedies. An additional factor in this review is the role of major maintenance in addressing facility needs.
Priority # 4 School Facilities Commission Post-Audit.
Pursuant to Budget Bill Section 340 and following up on the 2009 audit findings, the Department of Audit is required to conduct an accounting of total costs of all school capital construction projects funded for the preceding four biennia ending with the most recent 2009-2010 biennium. The accounting is to be reported to the Select Committee by September 1, in conjunction with the Commission's supplemental budget request.
SELECT NATURAL RESOURCE FUNDING COMMITTEE
Standard Budget: $2,500.00
Priority # 1 Statutory Responsibilities
Pursuant to statute, the Select Natural Resource Funding Committee reviews projects funded from the wildlife and natural resource trust income account and monitors activities of the wildlife and natural resource trust account board.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The Committee typically schedules a one or two day meeting during the year.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE FACILITIES
Standard Budget: $5,000.00
Priority # 1 General Responsibilities
The Select Committee on Legislative Facilities is responsible for addressing furnishings, remodeling, and space needs in the legislative areas of the Capitol building, including oversight of facilities projects specifically approved and funded during the session.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The Select Committee typically schedules two or three 1-day meetings during the year.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON TRIBAL RELATIONS
Standard Budget: $7,500.00
Priority # 1 General Responsibilities
Created by the Management Council, the Select Committee on Tribal Relations works with the Eastern Shoshone Indian Tribe, the Northern Arapaho Indian Tribe and various state agencies, in addressing services and needs on the Wind River Indian Reservation. The Committee addresses health and safety, water (including potable water to homes), education, transportation, gaming, communications, minerals, revenue, economic development and other issues that are a concern to the citizens on and near the Reservation.
Priority # 2 Water
Exploration of issues and obstacles which hamper the ability of the State of Wyoming and the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes from working together on water issues. What is the possibility of future water development which would benefit the Tribes and the State of Wyoming?
Priority # 3 TERO
Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO). Review the history and legalities of TERO. What is the basis for TERO taxes on state-funded projects on the Reservation?
Priority # 4 Education
Review and study education funding and delivery systems on the Reservation. Also consider Bureau of Indian Affairs issues related to education.
Priority # 5 Housing
Update on issues, including efforts to extend utility service.
Priority # 6 Reports
The Committee will solicit and receive reports regarding health care issues, title 25 issues, indigent care and Indian health care services.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The Committee typically schedules two or three 1-day meetings during the year. During the 2010 interim, the Committee proposes holding a joint, half-day meeting with either the Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee or Joint Judiciary Interim Committee to explore mutual relevant issues.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON AIR TRANSPORTATION
Standard Budget: $5,000.00
Priority # 1 General Responsibilities
Created by the Management Council, the Select Committee on Air Transportation is statutorily charged with receiving reports from the Aeronautics Commission relating to the expenditure of funds from the air services enhancement account pursuant to W.S. 10-3-602(c). The Committee also reviews proposals for air service enhancements to spur economic development in the state.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The Committee typically schedules one or two 1-day meetings during the year.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE TECHNOLOGY AND PROCESS
Standard Budget: $5,000.00
Priority # 1 General Responsibilities relating to technology
The primary responsibility of the Select Committee is to provide oversight of the Legislature's computer, audio/video and Web site development by the LSO information technology staff.
Priority # 2 General Responsibilities relating to legislative process
The primary responsibility of the Select Committee is to review and recommend rule and process changes and other innovations to enhance the efficient procedural operations of the Legislature.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The Select Committee typically schedules two or three 1-day meetings during the year.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ARCHAIC LAWS
Standard Budget: $2,500.00
Priority # 1 General Responsibilities
Created by Management Council, the Select Committee on Archaic Laws is engaged in a long term project to review and recommend to Management Council legislation to amend or repeal archaic statutes. The Committee is charged with addressing the following types of issues: update references to federal or state citations which have been amended over the years when the existing reference is clearly inaccurate; repeal provisions held to be unconstitutional in whole or in part; repeal or amend laws which no longer appear to be pertinent due to the passage of time or historic practices. The Select Committee may occasionally request Management Council to refer substantive issues to one or more of the Joint Interim Committees for consideration.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
The Select Committee will likely schedule one or two 1-day meetings during the year.
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