|  | Week Two |
Bills Update:
(*) Wyoming Chamber of Commerce Executives (WCCE) Priority
House Bill 22, Streamlined Sales/Use Tax Amendments - Clarifies language for sourcing rules for telecommunications services which are already being administered as well as clean up of the multiple points of use language which was never adopted by the Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement. It really is a clean up bill and does not have any controversy. Passed the House by a vote of 57-0-3 with no amendments. The bill is now on general file in the Senate.
House Bill 29, Taxation of Digital Products - Sponsored by the Revenue Committee, directed toward expanding the tax base and taxing the new world of digital products. Passed House third reading.
House Bill 44, Economic Development Property Tax Reduction* - Sponsored by Rep. Illoway, a recent decision by the Wyoming Board of Equalization is forcing county assessors to assess economic development property as if it was ready to be sold tomorrow. Legislation allows commercial land only without improvements to be taxed. Received for Senate introduction.
House Bill 49, Manufacturing Sales and Use Tax Exemption* - Sponsored by Rep. Madden, extending sales and use tax exemption for manufacturing equipment and repealing outdated provisions. In Senate Revenue Committee on Tuesday.
House Bill 54, Creating the Wyoming Food Freedom Act - Sponsored by Rep. Wallis, this bill exempts certain sales from licensure, certification and inspection if they are to be sold from the seller directly to customers in venues such as farmers markets, school events and youth clubs. Opponents say it destroys the food licensing system and makes it difficult to track food borne illness outbreaks. Also creates some questionable unfair competition with commercial businesses. Placed on House Floor.
House Bill 67, Data Center Recruitment* - Allows a sales tax exemption for large computer purchases for data centers. Bill puts Wyoming on a level playing field with other entities competing to recruit data center. Passed House and will be heard in a Senate Committee next week.
House Bill 71, Workers Compensation Appeals - Sponsored by Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, provides for direct appeal of worker’s compensation small claims and contested case decisions to the supreme court. Passed House third reading.
House Bill 78, Natural Gas, Taxation - Adds definitions to language defining the valuation of natural gas potentially affecting all of the oil and gas industry and what has been 20 years of defined tax statutes. Has been amended to set the effective date after the next legislative session (to July 1, 2011), allows processing at the initial dehydrator to be deducted therefore incenting both DOR and the taxpayer to negotiate. Passed House committee of the whole on 2/19.
House Bill 101, Electricity Generated from Wind, Tax - Imposes a generation tax of $3/mega watt hours (MWH) on the generation of electricity by wind power. Estimates $5.8M to counties and $8.8M to the state's general fund. Passed House Revenue Committee on February 15 by 6-3. Two amendments added: one to delay implementation to 2012, and one to reduce the tax to $1/MWH. The bill now distributes 60 percent to the counties and 40 percent to the general fund after many attempts to change the distribution. Passed the House by 40-18-2 on February 18 and has been referred to Senate Revenue.
House Bill 108, Health Insurance Reform - Sponsored by Rep. Simpson, creating the Wyoming Affordable HSA Eligible High Deductible Health Plan Act; providing a limited insurance premium tax waiver as specified; prescribing duties of the insurance commissioner; providing exceptions to the Unfair Trade Practices Act. Placed on House floor.
House Bill 113, Concealed Weapon Authority - Sponsored by Rep. Quarberg, allows concealed weapons to be carried without permits. Continues lack of restrictions and guns can be legally taken into retail stores, restaurants but not bars. Placed on House Floor.
House Bill 128, Health Insurance, Interstate Purchase - Sponsored by Rep. Simpson, authorizing the sale in Wyoming of health insurance by out-of-state insurers as specified; providing for more limited regulation of policies; providing for oversight by the insurance commissioner; providing for cooperation by the insurance commissioner with other states with consistent insurance laws to allow multi-state sales without duplicate regulation; specifying legislative intent to pursue a multi-state consortium to enter into reciprocal agreements to reduce health insurance costs through removal of duplicative regulation; prescribing required disclaimers; granting rulemaking authority. Placed on House floor.
Senate File 13, Economic Analysis - Sponsored by the Agriculture Committee, providing for collecting, compiling, analyzing and distributing county economic data; providing for establishment of uniform data criteria; and providing for an effective date. Passed second reading in the Senate.
Senate File 16, Providing for review of a property tax assessment - Sponsored by the Revenue Committee, provides procedures for review of a property tax assessment. Passed House introduction and referred to House Revenue Committee.
Senate File 18, Limited liability companies, revisions - Sponsored by the Corporations Committee, updating and modifying statutes to comply with the revised uniform limited liability company act in part and with exceptions and changes. Passed House introduction and referred to House Corporations Committee.
Senate File 23, Unemployment Compensation Amendments* - Sponsored by the Labor Committee, makes a number of changes to the Unemployment Compensation statutes, including bringing the state into federal compliance and several other changes affecting employers. Passed House introduction and referred to House Labor Committee.
Senate File 25, Liens - Sponsored by the Judiciary Committee, reorganizing lien statutes as specified; generally amending and clarifying the process for filing liens; specifying time limits for filing forms; amending substantive rights under lien provisions; conforming statutes; authorizing attorney fees and costs as specified. Passed Senate floor.
Senate File 27, Government competition* - Sponsored by Sen. Case, an act relating to administration of government; providing a process for lodging concerns with and for review of competition by government entities with the private sector; requiring a report to the legislature; providing a sunset date; and providing for an effective date. Passed Senate second reading.
Senate File 35, Tolling authority for I-80 - Sponsored by the Joint Transportation Committee, calls for a study of imposing tolls on Interstate 80 by the Wyoming Dept. of Transportation. Faces tough going because of strong opposition by the Governor. Passed Senate third reading.
Senate File 61, Health Insurance Reform* - Sponsored by Sen. Scott, creating a health care reform demonstration project using the board and administrative structure of the Wyoming health insurance pool. Participants must be employed and participate in wellness activities as well as a careful routine of monitoring their own health status with the help of key health providers. A model for more efficient and effective health care. Passed second reading in the Senate.
Senate File 67, Pharmacy Benefit Manager - Sponsored by Sen. Ross, regulation of pharmacy benefit managers and requiring annual registration with the insurance commission. Places on Senate floor.
Wyoming Chamber of Commerce Executives (WCCE) Supports:
Governor’s and the Joint Appropriations Committee (JAC) Recommendations for the Wyoming Travel and Tourism budget
Both the WTT budget and the proposed new visitor center in Southeast Wyoming were approved by the Governor and the JAC. Since the last biennium, the budget was cut 10 percent on July 1 and does not include the additional $955,000 emergency advertising funding allocated last session. The SE Wyoming Visitors Center was approved because the land was donated, the project is underway and studies prove that visitor’s centers help visitors to spend more time in the state. While the state marketing budget is $11.7 million a year, the private sector spends more than $14 million in marketing dollars.
Proposed Additional Funding to be introduced on the Floor
Sen. Schiffer and Rep. Illoway are proposing an increase of $261,900 for the Cowboy Marketing Program, a marketing and promotional opportunity centered on Wyoming’s professional rodeo athletes. The program was cut in the 10 percent reduction taken last fall.
Governors Recommendation for the Wildlife Trust Fund
The budget proposal to administer the fund is the same as last biennium less the 10 percent reduction made July 1.
Workforce Development Training Fund
Again, supporters need to make sure the training fund for the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services budget is not reduced further.
Funding the Business Ready Community Grant and Loan Program and the Community Facilities Program
No further reductions to the Wyoming Business Council budget approved by the JAC, which is already a 35 percent reduction from the last biennium. |
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