Legislative Update

Its mid-morning Monday and I am racing to meet this week’s paper deadline. We have had a crazy busy two weeks of session – now starting the third week at a run. We are finishing the last of the Senate files this morning. Major bills we have heard to date:

• SF 1 Budget of the State of Wyoming – this bill has passed the Senate and House and will go to a conference committee. As a whole the bill went smoothly and I expect that the differences will be worked out easily. It was a frugal budget presented by the Governor and the bodies kept most amendments tight as well. It is a budget that cuts state spending and helps position the state for future leaner times.

• SF100 has passed the House and has been heard by my Senate Corporations committee and will be on Committee of the Whole this afternoon on the Senate. The bill has had dozens of turns and changes over the last few months and expect more of the same going forward. The most major difference is whether the body stays with 30 senators and 60 House members as has been the case for the past 30-plus years or goes forward as from the house with an additional two House seats and a new Senate seat. (62-31). This is not new and was in place in the past. The 62-31 makes it much easier for the state to meet federal guidelines for numbers of people under the one person one vote court decision. Stay tuned for final disposition. If you have thoughts – weigh in with your senators and representatives.

• SF83 Prohibiting chemical abortions – passed Committee of the Whole today.

• SF51 Fairness in Women’s Sports Act – prohibiting men from competing on women’s teams – passed the Committee of the Whole

• SF102 Second Amendment Protection Act – this bill deals with enforcement of firearms laws from the federal government—this bill was one of two supported by all 23 county sheriffs and many county attorneys over another SAPA bill that would put our law enforcement in a compromised position on firearms laws.

• SF97 Change in Party Affiliation – this bill would strictly restrict crossover voting in our elections. Passed easily out of the Senate.

• SF80 Omnibus Water Construction – dealing with water projects statewide –both municipal and agricultural.

• SF 62 Civics Transparency Act – this is a bill of mine that makes schools post materials being taught on a school website – this bill has been much maligned and there is lots of misinformation being promoted from within the education system. The bill only deals with the problem – should parents and concerned citizens be able to easily see what materials are being used to teach our students. It does not dictate curriculum and does not tell teachers what to teach or how. Merely gives people the chance to see what is being taught and by whom. It is not nearly as onerous as being pushed.

• SF67 State Funded Capital Construction – new buildings and maintenance around the state.

• SF66 ARPA funds appropriation – this bill deals with how the state will spend funds from the federal government from American Rescue Plan.

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