The Legislative leadership began this session with the goals of strengthening our economy, improving our infrastructure, carefully developing our natural resources, keeping state decisions in state hands, maintaining a controlled budget and investing our human and financial resources wisely. They delivered on these goals.
Some key bills that were passed this session include:
- NRC agreement state authorization
- State education accountability and assessment
- School facilities appropriations
- Brewery and microbrewery licenses-definition
- Wyoming Fair Housing Act
- Telecommunications Law revisions
“The Legislature worked incredibly hard this session,” said Senate President Phil Nicholas, “and we accomplished a great deal. We have worked on bills that will increase jobs, improve infrastructure, and enhance our education system.”
The Legislature continues to support the state’s energy industry, passing bills that study the valuation and taxation for minerals, that begin the process to give the State of Wyoming regulatory authority over uranium mine permitting, and that authorizes joining an Interstate Mining compact allowing additional opportunities to support our coal industry around the country.
Wyoming’s best resource has always been its people. Diversifying Wyoming’s economy and training Wyoming students and citizens for good jobs that are available right now is of the utmost importance.
The Legislature’s commitment to providing Wyoming students with a world-class education is unwavering. Several education bills were passed; the Next Generation Science Standard footnote was rewritten and now states that the Board of Education should focus on providing standards that promote excellence for Wyoming students.
“We need to ensure that Wyoming students are prepared to compete for jobs in the global economy when they graduate,” said Speaker of the House Kermit Brown. “They should have a holistic education and be able to find a stable, well-paying job here in Wyoming.”
The House and the Senate worked to balance saving and spending in the supplemental budget, diverting potential savings to continue to support Wyoming citizens, jobs, local governments, infrastructure improvements, and education. This supplemental budget supplies an additional $6 million in funding to school districts and an additional $8 million to cities, towns, and counties. These two areas are critical components for growing the Wyoming economy in the long-term.
Legislation to strengthen pension accounts of volunteer firefighters and EMTs as well as adding and expanding who qualifies for workers compensation were highlights of the Legislature’s commitment to its citizens this session. With the passage of bills that give preference points for the use of Wyoming materials, bills that support the microbrewery industry and providing incentives for converting Wyoming natural gas into more valuable products, it’s clear that Wyoming is open for business.
The legislators completed this last session in the current Capitol with dignity, decorum, civility, and efficiency. This session wasn’t flashy. It was a long, hard worked, in the trenches session where legislators rolled up their sleeves, and continued to move Wyoming forward.
