Legislative Update
#5
17 February 2011
The days go by pretty quickly during the session. I need to let you know about the status of stuff that's still alive. I'm going to drop out any mention of stuff that didn't make earlier deadlines or that died in some other manner. All the bills we will talk about today are alive and well. Here we go:
HB0076 - Game and fish-turkey pioneer license - It has passed both houses and is awaiting the governor's signature. We supported this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0076.pdf
HB0088 - Guides and outfitters - Passed the House, passed Senate Judiciary, and is on General File in the Senate. We are working with WYOGA in support of this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0088.pdf
HB0100 - Game and fish-land acquisition - Passed the House, passed Senate Travel, on General File in the Senate. We're neutral on this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0100.pdf
HB0133 - Special limited fishing permits - It has passed both houses and is awaiting the governor's signature. We supported the bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/HB0133.pdf
SF0039 - Aquatic invasive species - reciprocity - Has passed the Senate, on second reading in the House today. We support this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0039.pdf
SF0048 - Wildlife and natural resources trust account board - Has passed the Senate, on second reading in the House today. We support this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0048.pdf
SF0062 - Large projects - Has passed the Senate, on General File in the House. We strongly support this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0062.pdf
SF0063 - Game and fish-donation of hunting licenses - Has passed both houses and is awaiting the governor's signature. We supported this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0063.pdf
SF0071 - Education - hunter safety courses - Passed the Senate, on second reading in the House today. We supported this bill. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0071.pdf
SF0085 - Game and fish violations - penalties - This is our second highest legislative priority this session. It has passed the Senate, and is on General File in the House. We are working very closely with the Wyoming Game Wardens Association to make sure it has support on the floor. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0085.pdf
SF0091 - Wildlife/livestock disease research disease partnership-funding - This bill has passed the Senate and is on General File in the House. We have no position on it. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0091.pdf
SF0105 - State control of certain land - It has passed the Senate, been received by the House and assigned to the House Minerals Committee. We have no position on it. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SF0105.pdf
SJ0001 - Right to hunt, fish and trap - This is currently our highest legislative priority. We have enlisted the support of BoW, WYOGA, AFL-CIO, WY-SFW, TU, and the WY Game Wardens Assn. It has passed the Senate, and came out of House Travel with a "do pass" yesterday on a 8-1 vote. It is now on General File in the House. I've spent the last couple of days lining up support for it on the House floor and been fairly successful. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Introduced/SJ0001.pdf
We have been successful in lining up some good candidates for Game and Fish Commission vacancies. Some of those candidates are in discussions with the governor's office. Confirmation in the Senate will be coming up in 10 days or so.
Most of the deadlines are a ways off now. The legislature will be in recess on President's Day, and I will take that day off along with them.
A few words about our first legislative breakfast on 2/11: It started off slow, but turned out great. Courtney, JoAnn and I were there, along with Rich, Bri and Keith. We had it in the Herschler Building atrium, which is a nice venue. The problem was that it was out of the way. After 45 minutes or so, and chatting up maybe a dozen legislators and a few lobbyists, we moved to a different location. that worked out great. We were pretty much in continuous contact with a stream of folks throughout the morning. My estimate for the bottom line: maybe $250. We more than paid for it in banquet tickets sold. I would definitely do it again.
Walt Gasson, Executive Director
Wyoming Wildlife Federation