62nd WYOMING LEGISLATURE

PROPOSED INTERIM COMMITTEE STUDIES

2014 INTERIM

JOINT MINERALS, BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Standard Budget:     $45,000.00

Priority #: 1     Landowner and Energy Development

The Committee will consider statutory and regulatory solutions to issues facing landowners and lands owned by the state from energy development.  Issues shall include, but are not necessarily limited to:

a.  Orphaned and abandoned wells;

b.  Flaring of wells; and

c.  Oil and gas well bond or other guaranty requirements, including the process for split estate bonding.

The Committee anticipates appointing a subcommittee to consider this priority issue and report to the Committee.  It is further anticipated that the subcommittee will have four members and hold three  one-day meetings.

Priority #: 2     Joint Subcommittee on State Involvement in Economic Development.

A Joint Subcommittee, consisting of  three (3) members of the Joint Appropriations Committee and three (3) members of the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic shall meet as necessary to study the state's role in providing aid and assistance in economic development projects.  This study shall include a review of the Wyoming Business Council, its programs, funding mechanisms and rules and regulations, and the expanded use of Amendment IV funds.  Members and Chairmen of the joint subcommittee shall be appointed by the respective committee chairs.

The authority of the Joint Subcommittee shall only be to make recommendations to the appropriate standing committee.  The appropriate standing committee may then consider developing legislation

Priority #: 3     Department of Environmental Quality

The Committee will study and potentially propose legislation to address the State of Wyoming becoming an Agreement State under the Atomic Energy Act, including potential fee and program structures. The Committee will also receive updates and recommendations on other issues identified by the Department of Environmental Quality, including the Solid Waste Landfill Cease and Transfer Program and the Solid Waste Landfill Remediation Program. The committee will investigate the appropriate use of LUST funds for remediation of sanitary landfills issues. [Modified by Management Council]

Priority #: 4     Wyoming Banking Commission

The Committee will consider proposed legislative solutions to issues identified by or involving the Wyoming Banking Commission. Those issues include statutory changes to recognize and effectively regulate charted family trust companies.

Priority #: 5     Reports and Updates.

The Committee will receive and consider reports required by law and updates on issues of concern from various agencies and interested parties, including but not limited to issues involving energy production or distribution, indemnity in a contract for any well, mine or mineral, economic development, University of Wyoming energy programs, and issues concerning other state agencies and divisions thereof which statutorily are required, or historically have, reported to the Committee.

Tentative Meeting Schedule:

The Committee anticipates holding three (3), two (2) day meetings during the 2014 interim. The Committee further anticipates a one-half day joint meeting with the Joint Appropriations Committee on or after October 1, 2014 to receive various reports directed to be received by both committees.