62nd WYOMING LEGISLATURE

PROPOSED INTERIM COMMITTEE STUDIES

2014 INTERIM

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

Standard Budget:     $37,500.00

Priority #: 1     Animal welfare

The Committee will review the animal welfare and animal cruelty provisions to determine the overlap and gaps between title 6 and title 11 related to household pets and the role of the Livestock Board or other state agencies in the enforcement of those provisions.

This topic will take significant time and the Committee would like to request an extra one or two day meeting to focus on this topic.

Priority #: 2     Landowner and state land issues related to energy development

The Committee will consider potential statutory or regulatory solutions for issues related to energy development including:

A. Long term solutions for pipeline liability including feeder lines and intra-field infrastructure lines.

B. A landowner assistance program for the remediation of pipeline leaks where the operator is financially insolvent.

Priority #: 3     Agriculture operations on highways

The Committee will consider:

A. Vehicle weight changes for Class A, B and C drivers licenses due to increases in vehicle weights used in agriculture operations since the last time the weights were determined in statute.

B. The availability of drivers with a class B license during harvest. [Study deleted by Management Council]

Priority #: 4     Notification requirements related to designations on private property

The Committee will consider whether any legislative or other action is necessary related to providing landowners notice when public or private entities seek designations related to private property.

Priority #: 5     Reports on agricultural issues.

The Committee will receive reports and updates on the following issues and recommend legislative action if required:

A. The Livestock Board disease traceability program.

B. Agricultural producer issues including consideration of a dry bean research check-off and the limit on the beef check-off.

C. The use of the fire suppression account and mountain pine beetle impacts.

D. Updates from the Wyoming Business Council related to beef processing.

E. Water issues including historic use, the weather modification program, regulations related to drilling water wells, water management and beneficial use.

F. Repairs to the BSL-3 project at the University of Wyoming.

G. Information and updates from the EPA and DEQ on the waters of the United States rule.

H. Weed and pest special management.

I. Other topics as required from the Livestock Board, the Department of Agriculture, the State Engineer, the State Forester or the Department of State Lands and Investments.

Priority #: 6     Tentative meeting dates

April 22-23 (Worland)

September 25-26 (Laramie)

October 20-21 - If additional meeting days are approved by Management Council