January 19, 1999

TO:       Members, Media
          

                         PRESS RELEASE

Senator John Schiffer, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, and
Representative Pat Nagel, Chairman, Joint Judiciary Committee,
have announced that both Committees will meet jointly to conduct
a public hearing on:

                            Thursday
                        January 21, 1999
                           3:00 p.m.
                 Herschler Building, Room 1699
                       Cheyenne, Wyoming

The purpose of this public hearing is to receive comments from
the public regarding all bias crimes bills that have been
introduced in either house of the Wyoming Legislature.  This is a
public hearing for the purpose of receiving public input. 
Neither Committee will take action at this hearing on any of
these bills.

Persons wishing to speak at this public hearing will be limited
to 5 minutes.  The Chairmen intend to accommodate as many persons
as possible who wish to speak.  There will be a "sign-up" sheet
at the meeting, and persons will be allowed to speak in the order
in which they sign up.  The hearing room will be open 30 minutes
in advance of the hearing.    

Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations at the
public hearing, please contact the Legislative Service Office for
assistance.

Persons may also submit written materials to the Committees at
the hearing or by mailing them addressed to the Committees at the
Wyoming State Capitol, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002.

The bills under consideration are:
Senate File 0084 Bias crimes
Senate File 0091 Bias crimes - 2.
House Bill 117 Bias crimes - 4.
House Bill 132 Enhanced penalties - 2.
House Bill 193 Human diversity task force
House Bill 206 Bias crimes - 5.
House Bill 215 Murder - aggravating circumstances

(Some of these bills may not have been introduced or referred to
committee at the time of this press release; it is anticipated
that such will occur prior to the hearing.)

Copies of the bills are available for a nominal charge at the
Bill Room in the State Capitol (307-777-7648).  The text of bills
is available on the legislative web site 
(http://legisweb.state.wy.us).  They are also available
for inspection in county libraries.
          
Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee:
Senators: Schiffer, Goodenough, Hanes, Job, Youngbauer

Members of the House Judiciary Committee:
Representatives: Nagel, L. Johnson, Luthi, Morgan, Nicholas,
Robinson, T. Rose, Simpson, Wasserburger