61^ST WYOMING LEGISLATURE

INTERIM COMMITTEE STUDIES

2012 INTERIM

JOINT AGRICULTURE, STATE AND PUBLIC LANDS AND WATER RESOURCES INTERIM COMMITTEE

Standard Budget: $37,500.00

Priority #: 1 Joint Subcommittee on Federal Natural Resource Management Issues

Topic: Review federal natural resource management issues.

A Joint Subcommittee, consisting of the co-chairmen of the Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Committee and the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Interim Committee, the Senate Minority Leader and the House of Representatives Minority Floor Leader, or their designees, shall meet as necessary to review existing or proposed federal policies or action which may impact the management, development or use of the state's natural resources. The Joint Subcommittee shall develop and forward to the Governor the appropriate legislative committees recommended legislative responses to federal policies and actions necessary to protect the interests of the State of Wyoming.

The budget request for the Joint Subcommittee is included in the mirror study request submitted by the Joint Minerals Interim Committee.

Priority #: 2 Wyoming Department of Agriculture

Topics: Uniform construction of state fairgrounds; licensure for pesticide application; commission style department agriculture; predator refunds for out of state leaseholders; large game damages to agriculture.

Exploration and research of the statues governing construction of facilities on the state fairgrounds to ensure uniform construction. Review of the pesticide licensure in Wyoming, including reciprocity of licensure from other states. Discussion of a commission style Department of Agriculture that would include the functions performed by the Wyoming Livestock Board and the Board of Agriculture. Review of the predator refund statutes to address payment by out-of-state leaseholders. Continue study of possible solutions to damage caused by large game to agriculture producers.

Priority #: 3 State Lands and Investments, including the State Forestry Division

Topics: State funded conservation easements; mitigation of the Bark Beetle; common carrier pipelines.

Review of state funded conservation easements and guiding statutory provisions to explore simplification. Explore options for creation of long term plans to mitigate damage by the Bark Beetle to Wyoming's forests. Review the concerns of landowners and the bonding requirements for pipeline common carriers.

Priority #: 4 Wyoming State Engineer's Office

Topics: Review of export statutes; review of "beneficial use" and federal government's appropriation of water.

Review of the water use statutes, including exportation, beneficial use and wild and scenic designations by the federal government.

Priority #: 5 Wyoming Livestock Board

Topics: Brand inspections; review of statutes, including animal health, feral livestock and archaic statutes.

Review the brand inspection process and requirements, including renewals and the ability to create permanent brand inspections. Review the guiding statutes for animal health and feral livestock and make recommendations for improvements. Review of statutes for archaic laws.

Priority #: 6 University of Wyoming

Topics: Review of agriculture studies conducted by the University of Wyoming, including the Wyoming natural diversity database and endangered species.

Review the studies conducted by the University of Wyoming in area of agriculture, including endangered species and the Wyoming natural diversity database.

Priority #: 7 Emergency Topics as Necessary

Committee requests the ability to retain the authority to study or draft legislation in relation to any topic or emergency that may be presented by the various agencies that fall under the umbrella of agriculture, state and public lands and water.

Priority #: 8 Tentative Meeting Schedule

Spring : May 7 and 8 (Lander, WY)

Fall : Sept. 24 and 25 (Hulett, WY)