| Judiciary |
| SF0021-12LSO-0021 |
| This bill would clarify that a "statute of limitations savings statute" applies to lawsuits under the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act. The savings statute provides that a plaintiff has an additional year to file a new lawsuit if a judgment in a timely-filed lawsuit is reversed or the lawsuit fails for reasons not related to the merits of the case. |
| SF0028-12LSO-0023 |
| This bill would increase the maximum liability of governmental entities and public employees under the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act from $250,000 to $500,000 for a single claimant, and from $500,000 to $1,500,000 for multiple claimants arising out of a single occurrence. |
| HB0014-12LSO-0024 |
| This bill would provide for appointment of a decedent's wrongful death representative to bring a wrongful death action. The bill would establish factors for a court to consider in determining the wrongful death representative. |
| SF0022-12LSO-0080 |
| This bill would clarify the time for appealing a notice to remediate hazardous or dangerous substances that result from a clandestine drug laboratory operation, or for appealing the denial of an extension of time to complete the remediation. |
| SF0027-12LSO-0098 |
| This bill would amend provisions relating to public meetings, special meetings and executive sessions, including amending the definition of a public meeting and requiring at least eight hours prior notice of special meetings. |
| SF0025-12LSO-0099 |
| This bill would amend provisions relating to public records, including amending the definition of public records, amending the requirements for providing notice of the unavailability of public records and limiting the right of inspection to public records concerning agricultural operations and land. |
| SF0024-12LSO-0100 |
| This bill would amend property amounts exempt from execution and attachment, including increasing the homestead exemption from $10,000 to $20,000. |
| SF0023-12LSO-0124 |
| This bill would amend the protocol for execution by lethal injection. |
| SF0026-12LSO-0149 |
| This bill would authorize an additional district court judge in the fourth judicial district. |
| Appropriations |
| HB0001 and SF0001 General Appropriations Bill. |
| The budget bill will be introduced as a mirror bill in the House and Senate. |
| The Senate Standing Appropriations Committee will sponsor the following legislation: |
| SF0097-12LSO-0109 |
| This bill would modify benefits and requirements for benefits for general members of the public employees retirement plan ("big plan") hired after September 1, 2012. The new benefits would be based on a multiplier of 2% for each year of service (rather than 2.175% for the first 15 years of service and 2.25% for each year thereafter under current law). The bill would also provide that benefits would be based upon the highest 5 years, rather than 3 years, of salary. Finally, the normal retirement age would be increased from 60 to 65 (the rule of 85 would remain the same). |
| SF0059-12LSO-0158 |
| This bill would remove the authorization for cost-of-living increases in specified public employee retirement plans. It would provide legislative findings for the action and provide parameters for the Legislature to follow in making future benefit increases. The bill would require that certain information regarding the retirement plans be provided to employees. It also would direct the joint appropriations interim committee to study the possibility of providing future cost of living increases through a new defined contribution system. |
| SF0030-12LSO-0162 |
| This bill would raise the employee and employer contributions required under this retirement plan by 1.62% and 1.63% of salary respectively, in order to address funding shortfalls in the plan. |
| The full interim Committee will consider the following legislation at the January budget hearings. |
| SF0107-12LSO-0191 |
| This bill would extend and amend many provisions of 2011 Senate File 144 (2011 Wyoming Sess. Laws, Chap 81) which generally modified laws relating to preferences and other aspects for procurement of contracts for public works. It would modify contract amounts for which a bond is required and modify other preference requirements. |
| Revenue |
| HB0038-12LSO-0122 |
| This bill would establish an industry factor for coal sold away from the mouth of the mine in an arms-length sale to determine fair market value. The factor would be set at 79% for coal produced in Campbell, Converse, Johnson and Sheridan counties and 81% for coal produced in other counties within the state. |
| Education |
| HB0047-12LSO-0141 |
| This bill will forward recommendations of the Joint Education Committee on any modification to the regional cost adjustment to the education resource block grant model and on any external cost adjustment to the model for school year 2012 2013. |
| Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources |
| HB0006-12LSO-0057 |
| This bill would amend when a change in use can be obtained for an irrigation district permit for water use. It would allow for a change in use to be obtained after a contested case is conducted and a finding is made that there is no injury to water rights of other appropriators. |
| HB0018-12LSO-0059 |
| This bill would require that tenants on state or public land be notified if a change of use or change in place of use of water rights on the leased land is proposed. The bill would require the state engineer or the board of control to consider specified facts pertinent to the effect of the requested change on the tenant, and afford a non-consenting tenant a right to a hearing. |
| SF0018-12LSO-0061 |
| This bill would revise the statutes that provide for reimbursement of livestock when livestock is destroyed upon order of the state veterinarian. It would allow for payment when the state veterinarian orders removal of any animal for a disease listed on the Wyoming Livestock Board's reportable disease list as category A, and provide reimbursement parameters. |
| HB0007-12LSO-0062 |
| This bill would provide the requirements for a voluntary livestock identification program to assist with traceability of livestock. It would require the Wyoming Livestock Board to establish the parameters and requirements of the program. |
| SF0019-12LSO-0179 |
| This bill would modify management and operating requirements for the predator management board and districts. It would modify the voting requirements to allow for only one vote per member who pays twelve months of fees and modify the dates for reporting and payment for claims. |
| Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources |
| SF0017-12LSO-0035 |
| The bill would remove specifications for firearms and bows and arrows from statute and give the Game and Fish Commission authority to set those specifications by rule and regulation. |
| SF0041-12LSO-0078 |
| The bill would conform Wyoming statutes to the agreement on wolf management reached between the governor and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The bill would define wolves as trophy game in specified areas of the state and as predators elsewhere. |
| HB0019-12LSO-0101 |
| The bill would increase membership on the Cultural Trust Fund Board to seven members and make the administrator of the Division of Cultural Resources an ex officio member. |
| SF0043-12LSO-0102 |
| The bill would authorize the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources to accept the donation of lands in Douglas known as the POW Officers' quarters. The bill also authorizes the department to purchase a 40 bison pasture attached to Hot Springs State Park from the Board of Land Commissioners. |
| SF0036-12LSO-0188 |
| The bill authorizes the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources to accept the donation of lands in Campbell County known as the LX Bar Ranch. |
| Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions |
| HB0015-12LSO-0015 |
| The bill would conform state law to recently passed federal legislation on issuance and taxation of surplus lines insurance. |
| HB0016-12LSO-0016 |
| The bill would authorize the insurance commissioner to analyze additional factors in considering liquidity and financial strength of insurance providers. |
| HB0005-12LSO-0066 |
| The bill would increase the guarantee limits of the association. |
| SF0003-12LSO-0067 |
| The bill would give the secretary of state authority to refuse to accept documents for filing and authority to issue cease and desist orders. |
| SF0004-12LSO-0069 |
| The bill would increase late fees for commercial registered agent registrations. |
| SF0005-12LSO-0093 |
| The bill would provide a consistent mechanism to remove for cause various commissioner appointed board members. |
| SF0006-12LSO-0094 |
| The bill would clarify that after initial staggered terms, county memorial hospital district board members serve terms of five years. |
| HB0032-12LSO-0119 |
| The bill would establish new legislative district boundaries based on the 2010 Census figures. |
| SF0007-12LSO-0128 |
| The bill establishes a mechanism for districting and redistricting in local government races in years where legislative redistricting has occurred. |
| Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs |
| HB0003-12LSO-0037 |
| This bill would increase state motor vehicle registration fees. |
| SF0008-12LSO-0039 |
| This bill would repeal the gasoline tax credit provided to producers of ethanol. |
| SF0009-12LSO-0040 |
| This bill would allocate sales tax revenues paid on the purchase of diesel fuel to the highway fund for the construction, improvement or maintenance of Wyoming's highways. |
| HJ0002-12LSO-0042 |
| This bill would authorize a vote on a constitutional amendment to re-assign revenues generated from the collection of general fines and penalties to Wyoming's highways. |
| HB0004-12LSO-0043 |
| This bill would require fees related to the ignition interlock program to be established at a level which pays for operation of the program, not to exceed $150.00. The fee would not be collected from indigent persons. |
| HB0033-12LSO-0081 |
| This bill is a companion bill to 12LSO-0042. If the amendment to the Wyoming constitution is adopted, this bill would direct general fines and penalties into the Highway fund to be used for the construction, improvement or maintenance of Wyoming's highways. |
| SF0010-12LSO-0145 |
| This bill would extend the sunset date for the National Guard Youth Challenge Program until June of 2017. |
| SF0011-12LSO-0146 |
| This bill would create a new state veterans' skilled nursing center and set standards for the operation of the facility. The bill would appropriate $4,703,000 from the omnibus permanent land fund to the Department of Administration and Information for site acquisition and construction of the facility. |
| Minerals, Business & Economic Development |
| SF0014-12LSO-0049 |
| The bill would require the Wyoming Business Council to contact the United States Department of Energy concerning the possibility of locating a next generation nuclear power plant and hybrid energy systems in Wyoming. The bill would require a report to the Joint Minerals Committee on discussions between the Department of Energy and the Business Council, and would appropriates $250,000 to the Wyoming Business Council. |
| HB0028-12LSO-0053 |
| This bill would provide for the governor's appointment, subject to Senate confirmation, of the executive secretary of the Environmental Quality Council. The governor would appoint from among three persons nominated by the EQC. The bill would also provide for the removal of the executive secretary. |
| SF0031-12LSO-0054 |
| The Committee has not finalized this bill draft. It would provide grants for studies on the feasibility of operating a commercial scale minerals to liquid fuels facility in Wyoming. |
| SF0015-12LSO-0055 |
| This bill would changes the name of the Clean Coal Task Force to the Advanced Conversion Technologies Task Force. It would expand the duties of the Task Force to include providing grants for advanced conversion technologies projects that benefit minerals and energy programs within Wyoming. The bill would extend the sunset date for the Task Force from June 30, 2012 to June 30, 2015. |
| HB0029-12LSO-0091 |
| This bill would extend funds originally appropriated to the Uranium Research Center in 2008 through June 30, 2012. |
| SF0013-12LSO-0106 |
| This bill would amend the innocent landowner provisions of the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act to conform to changes to the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. The bill would add a definition of "bona fide prospective purchaser" for purposes of being an innocent owner who is not liable for contamination on property he owns. |
| HJ0001-12LSO-0136 |
| This resolution to the President of the United States and the United States Congress would support limited development of energy resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. |
| HB0027-12LSO-0137 |
| This bill would extend the participation of the Wyoming Legislature in the Energy Producing States Coalition, originally authorized by 2011 Wyoming Session Laws, Chapter 92, Section 1, through June 30, 2013. The bill would appropriate $24,500 to the LSO for committee activities. |
| HB0026-12LSO-0142 |
| This bill would modify requirements for designation as a Wyoming contractor for purposes of the resident preference on public works contracts. The bill would: create a definition for "chief executive"; create a felony for anyone who knowingly submits false contractor residency information; require reapplication and recertification of resident contractors after the effective date of this bill; create a select committee to review Wyoming laws related to contractor preferences on public works; require a report to the Joint Minerals Committee by October 1, 2012; appropriate $20,000 to LSO for the select committee. |
| SF0012-12LSO-0171 |
| This bill would reconstitute the Nuclear Energy Task Force created by 2011 Wyoming Session Laws, Chapter 148, Section 1. It would extend the task force through December 31, 2012 and provide a list of study topics. The bill would require a report to the Joint Minerals Committee and would appropriate $18,000 to the Legislative Service Office and $8,000 to the Governor's Office. |
| Labor, Health & Social Services |
| HB0020-12LSO-0117 |
| This bill would authorize the insurance commissioner to audit, on an as-needed, discretionary basis, any local government insurance plans that provide health coverage for their employees through an insurance pool with other political subdivisions. The commissioner could decide the level and timing of review and require specified remedies if he determines the pool is not actuarially sound. |
| HB0009-12LSO-0118 |
| This bill would amend the mandatory reporting required of employers, to include the starting date for new hires. |
| SF0058-12LSO-0151 |
| This bill extends the study of a possible Wyoming health insurance exchange that was commissioned by 2011 legislation. The bill would require an additional report by October 1, 2012, and would prohibit the implementation of any federally required insurance exchange absent further legislative approval. The bill appropriates $10,000 from the general fund to the legislative service office for the expenses of legislators serving on the study steering committee. |
| SF0032-12LSO-0152 |
| The bill would provide that the workers' compensation division and members of the workers compensation medical commission shall report suspected substandard or inappropriate medical or hospital care to appropriate licensing authorities. The bill would clarify that members of the commission are considered public employees for purposes of the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act and provide that confidentiality provisions do not prohibit authorized reports to professional licensing authorities. |
| SF0034-12LSO-0153 |
| This bill directs the governor to study and report on costs of the current Medicaid program by specified categories of participants and programs. The bill would repeal 2011 legislation that provided for the study, but reauthorize the study with revised requirements. A preliminary report would be due to the Joint Labor and Joint Appropriations interim committees by December 1, 2012, with a final report by May 1, 2013. The bill would reappropriate $100,000 in unspent general funds from the 2011 Department of Health reorganization project, and appropriate $20,000 in general funds to the legislative service office for the expenses of legislators in advising the study oversight organization appointed by the governor. |
| SF0037-12LSO-0182 |
| This bill would appropriate $14 Million in general funds and $14 Million in federal funds to reduce the number of persons on waiting lists for services under the child, adult and acquired brain injury home and community based Medicaid waiver programs. The bill would also require the Governor to report the Joint Appropriations and Joint Labor interim committees if the waiting list for the child or adult developmental disability waiver programs exceeds six months, or if the waiting list for the acquired brain injury waiver program exceeds one month. |
| HB0008-12LSO-0184 |
| This bill would consolidate the merger of the Department of Employment and Department of Workforce Services by cleaning up remaining statutory references to the Department of Employment. The bill would repeal the Department of Employment enabling statute, clarify that the Governor's existing authority to revise or consolidate councils or commissions within the Department of Employment now applies to the Department of Workforce Services and provide for information sharing within the Department of Workforce Services divisions without violating confidentiality protections. |
| Select Committee on Capital Financing & Investments |
| SF0035-12LSO-0216 |
| This bill would allow the Hathaway student scholarship and excellence in higher education endowment reserve accounts to retain earnings on funds within the account, rather than the earnings flowing to the general fund. |
| Select Committee on Statewide Education Accountability |
| SF0057-12LSO-0140 |
| This bill would revise the statewide educational accountability requirements and teacher performance requirements enacted in 2011. The revisions would provide for a comprehensive framework for an educational accountability system. The bill would modify statewide assessments, provide performance indicators, set target levels for performance and provide a system of supports, interventions and consequences to improve student learning and teaching. The bill would extend the select committee and advisory committee on educational accountability and outline the committees' activities. |
| Management Audit Committee |
| SF0033-12LSO-0108 |
| This bill would remove the Information Technology Division from the Department of Administration and Information and combine it with the state Chief Information Officer to form a new Department of Enterprise Technology with the CIO as director. The new department would provide and bill for services to state agencies. The State Telecommunications Council is repealed, with its duties assigned to the new department. |
| Select Committee on Tribal Relations |
| The Committee has not voted to sponsor any legislation at the time this summary was compiled. The following drafts are still being considered by the Committee. |
| HB0083-12LSO-0203 |
| This bill would authorize tribal and Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officers to enforce violations of state traffic laws on the Wind River Indian Reservation. |
| Select Water Committee |
| The Committee has not voted to sponsor any legislation at the time this summary was compiled. The following drafts are still being considered by the Committee. |
| HB0041-12LSO-0176 |
| The bill contains the annual authorization for Level I and Level II water development studies and provides appropriations therefor. Please see the bill for the numerous appropriations it contains. |
| SF0047-12LSO-0189 |
| The bill contains the annual authorization for the Level III construction of water projects which have previously completed the Level I and Level II stages. Please see the bill for the numerous appropriations it contains. |