HB0121H2003

Page 3-line 15 After "projects" insert "and purposes".

Page 3-line 23 After "Wyoming" delete balance of line and insert:

"to be distributed as follows:

(A)  Eight million dollars ($8,000,000.00) for matching funds for biological and life sciences academic pursuits involving nonrecurring projects or nonrecurring expenses. The treasurer shall not distribute these funds to the university until eight million dollars ($8,000,000.00) has been matched by qualifying contributions of funds other than state of Wyoming funds for these purposes;

(B)  Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00) to the University of Wyoming to fund activities of a task force on threatened and endangered species as follows:

(I)  The task force shall be comprised of:

(1)  The members of the senate travel, recreation and wildlife committee, the chairman of the committee to serve as the co-chairman of the task force;

(2)  The members of the house travel, recreation and wildlife committee, the chairman of the committee to serve as the co-chairman of the task force;

(3)  One (1) botanist and one (1) zoologist selected by the director of the University of Wyoming natural diversity database;

(4) One (1) member appointed by the governor; and

(5) The director of the game and fish department or his designee.

(II)  The task force shall:

(1)  Conduct public hearings throughout the state and develop legislation to ensure Wyoming control of threatened and endangered species in Wyoming, based on similar state legislation in other states and addressing the unique characteristics of Wyoming;

(2)  Address issues regarding regulatory taking of private property in connection with the existing Wyoming greater sage-grouse core area protection executive order; and

(3)  Develop a strategic plan incorporating all relevant state agencies and the University of Wyoming to implement Wyoming based research pertaining to threatened and endangered species in Wyoming.

(III)  The task force shall be staffed by the University of Wyoming. Legislative members of the task force shall be paid per diem, mileage and salary only from funds specifically appropriated for this purpose to the legislative service office in 2012 Senate File 2, and only if such funds are appropriated. Nonlegislative members of the task force shall receive no additional payment for service on the task force, but shall suffer no loss of wages for the time devoted to attending meetings of the task forces. The University may contract with consultants as directed by the task force as necessary to carry out the duties of this subparagraph.

(C)   Seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000.00) to the University of Wyoming for threatened and endangered species research conducted in Wyoming on species that are either currently listed as threatened or endangered or that are considered candidate species under the federal Endangered Species Act.".

Page 3-line 24 Delete entirely.

Page 4-lines 1 through 23 Delete entirely.

Page 5-lines 1 and 2 Delete entirely.

Page 5-line 12 Delete "Six million dollars ($6,000,000.00)" insert "Seven million dollars ($7,000,000.00)".

Page 5-line 14 In the standing committee amendment (HB0121HS001/A) to this line after "development rights" insert ". Of these funds, one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) shall only be expended for pine bark beetle remediation efforts.". CONNOLLY, SEMLEK, WALLIS