Legislative session wraps up

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
The Wyoming Legislature wrapped up what Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower, called a “productive session, as well as a frustrating one” with portions of it being virtual early on in the year, ending with an in-person session that concluded on April 7. 
With nothing being done to address approximately $300 million in education shortfalls for the state, the Legislature did pass a supplemental budget bill for fiscal year 2022 with reductions to the general fund of $430 million, according to Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, R-Lingle. She noted that this is about 96% of the $446 million recommended by the Joint Appropriations Committee and that it contains no tax increases. 
“At the same time, the bill preserves funding for services critical to Wyoming’s vulnerable populations and investments to continue to strengthen and grow our economy, including: the Department of Health and the Department of Family Services; the University of Wyoming and the state’s community colleges; Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS); the UW cryptocurrency matching program and advisory council; and the Permanent Wyoming Mineral Trust Fund, an investment account that will continue to produce returns for the state,” Steinmetz said in an email. 
Cuts were made to programs across the board, she said, noting that there were no “sacred cows” on the general fund side of the budget. This budget bill, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, according to Driskill, leaves the general fund side of the budget for the next year complete, without having to draw on reserves. 
Rep. Chip Neiman, R-Sundance, and Rep. Hans Hunt, R-Newcastle, said the passage of the reduced state budget was the biggest success of the session. 
“We did cut $430 million from state agencies and streamlined others. … We reduced state spending. That was a success, although not everyone believes that,” Neiman said. “We shouldn’t be spending what we don’t have, so in my mind that is a success.” 
In addition to the $430 million in cuts made to the initial budget passed last year by the state Legislature, Driskill reported 324 cuts to state positions in various departments, the impact of which will be felt across the state for years to come. 
According to Steinmetz, the cuts include the following full-time employees: 161 with the Wyoming Department of Corrections, 50 with the Wyoming Department of Family Services, 11  between the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office and the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, 10 with the Wyoming Department of Enterprise Technology Services, five with the judicial branch and another 55 throughout other agencies in the state.  
Steinmetz concluded that the passage of the budget was done through prudent compromise and achieved the priorities of both chambers. 
“The Legislature is committed to creating long-term economic growth and diversification, and to solving the state’s structural revenue shortfalls,” she said. 
Hunt and Neiman will provide a wrap-up of the session at the Weston County Republican Party meeting on April 29 at 6 p.m. at the Newcastle Lodge and Convention Center. 
In addition, the Legislature will likely hold a special session in July to address the funding allocated to Wyoming from the most recent federal COVID-19 funding bill, Hunt said.
Bills that passed this session

 
• House Bill 229, Livestock Identification Choice Act – protecting the rights of livestock producers to identify with the official method of their choice for disease traceability. 
• House Bill 207, coal-fired generation facility closures litigation – provides $1.2 million in funding to the attorney general for court challenges against other states under the commerce clause when Wyoming’s economy or ability to produce and use coal fire power are detrimentally affected. It also applies to coal port litigation. 
• House Bill 127, public health amendments – provides some restraint on the powers of the state health officer when it comes to the power to restrict the movements and activities of healthy people.
• House Bill 116, concealed-carry residency requirements – allows for citizens of the United States that meet the requirements of current law to carry a concealed firearm in the state without a permit. 
• House Bill 75, voter identification – requires that identification be provided before in-person voting and sets forth acceptable means of identification. 
• Senate File 130, charter schools – this bill revises the overall process for the approval and renewal of charter schools. It also provides that in addition to the local school district board, the State Loan and Investment Board can authorize up to three charter schools. 
• Senate File 155, limiting firearm seizure – prohibits the executive branch from closure of gun shops, shooting ranges, placing restrictions on the sale of weapons and ammunition, and suspension or revocation of permits to concealed carry of weapons during states of emergency.