2.19.24 Legislative Update
Valued WHTC Members,
Last Monday, the 67th Wyoming Legislature kicked off the 2024 budget session that will run through Friday, March 8, 2024. The schedule for the session can be seen here https://wyoleg.gov/docs/SessionSchedule.pdf
During a budget session, all bills (except for the Biennium Budget Bill) including committee-sponsored bills must pass a 2/3 introductory vote in their house of origin, to be considered during the session. This means that all Senate files must receive 21/31 votes. In the House, it takes 41/62 votes. There ended up being a total of 366 bills and resolutions posted for consideration. Last Friday was the cut-off for bills to be introduced and considered for this session. 177 total bills have failed so far. You can monitor all bills for the 2024 budget session here https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2024
The Budget Bill is presented three separate times, simultaneously in both the House and the Senate. Any differences between the two versions are worked out in Conference Committees before the final budget gets voted on in each chamber and then goes to Governor Mark Gordon’s desk for final signature. The first reading of the budget took place last Thursday and Friday. Today, March 19 will be the second reading of the budget in both chambers.
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Monday, February 19, 2024
Second reading of Budget Bill
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Last day for bills to be reported out of committee in House of Origin,
Third reading of the Budget Bill in both chambers
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Last day for bills on Committee of the Whole in House of Origin
Friday, February 23, 2024
Last day for bills on Second Reading in House of Origin
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During the legislative session, please keep an eye on your emails for a “Call to Action.” We use them sparingly and only when we need you to engage with lawmakers on legislation that could significantly impact your business and our industry. When you see a call to action from us, it will clearly explain how you can take 5 minutes to email legislators about the issue. Calls to action are usually time-sensitive, requiring immediate attention. During every session, your voice is the most important one to your legislators. Please engage if you see a call to action. The tourism budget is coming under attack today. Please watch for an additional email “Call to Action” this morning.
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Governor Mark Gordon’s Recommendation for the Wyoming Tourism Board Budget
Our top priority this budget session is for the legislature to pass the Governor's biennium budget recommendation (Gov’s Rec) for agency 066 Wyoming Tourism Board. When tourism funding shifted from the state’s general fund to the direct funding provided by the statewide lodging tax, the tourism budget increased by $8.8 per biennium. While this increase put Wyoming in a better position to compete with our surrounding states, Colorado, Montana, Utah, and South Dakota still invest significantly more than Wyoming does. The increase also allows for a destination development grant program that all 23 counties have taken advantage of. Governor Gordon recommended then that the increased investment become part of the tourism board's "standard budget." During the 2022 budget session, the Joint Appropriations Committee (JAC) made the increase in one-time funding or "an exception request." Governor Gordon has once again recommended this funding become part of the standard budget. Additionally, the Governor recommended filling two unfilled positions within the Office of Tourism- a data analyst and an Industry Development Manager to help the Office of Tourism continue to grow Wyoming’s visitor economy.
Status: Up on Second Reading in both chambers, today. The Joint Appropriations Committee voted to support “Gov’s Rec” with the following amendment- $2 million from the Wyoming Tourism Account for a 250th celebration of the United States as well as $750,000 for a float in the Rose Bowl parade. We support the JAC recommended budget.
HB 67 Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund Administration-2
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2024/HB0067
This bill is a mirror bill to SF 40 providing an additional opportunity for the bill to be introduced and worked if SF 40 fails introduction. See SF 40 below for explanation of bill.
Status: Passed introduction and committee. Awaiting Committee of the Whole.
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(Note: if you see an issue or bill listed below that you think we should engage in, please let us know! Reach out to Chris Brown at chris@wyohtc.org)
SF 68 Tangible Personal Property-Tax Exemption
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2024/SF0068
Exempts all tangible personal (business) property from taxation.
Status: Introduced and referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.
SF 79 Malt Beverage Franchise Agreements
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2024/SF0079
Would allow Malt Beverage manufacturers producing less than 25,000 barrels annually to terminate franchise agreements.
Status: Introduced and referred to Senate Corporations, Elections, and Political Subdivisions Committee
SF 82 Summer Vacation Preservation Act
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2024/SF0082
Would reduce the amount of needed school days from 175 annually to 165 and would give school districts the ability to start school after Labor Day and end the school year by Memorial Day.
Status: Introduced and referred to Senate Education Committee
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HB 2 Non-Resident Fishing License Fee Increase
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2024/HB0002
Increases non-resident annual fishing license fee from $100.00 to $110.00 and non-resident daily fishing license fee from $10.00 to $14.00
HB 17 Fishing Outfitters and Guides-Registration of Fishing Boats
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2024/HB0017
Authorizes the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission to regulate guided fishing boats.
SF 40 Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund Administration
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2024/SF0040
During the last legislative session, the Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund Account was established. $3 million annually is deposited into it from the Wyoming Tourism Special Projects Account. This bill provides a governance structure, similar to the Wyoming Natural Resources Trust Fund. It will facilitate all 23 counties able to apply for grants related to building out and maintaining Outdoor Recreation and Tourism related products. This is a committee bill sponsored by the Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee.
SF 62 State Parks- Recreation Management Authority
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2024/SF0062
Authorizes the Dept. of State Parks and Cultural Resources to lease state lands for recreational purposes.
SF 87 Boutique Hotel Liquor Licenses
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2024/SF0087
Allows for the creation of a Boutique Hotel Liquor License for Boutique Hotels with a minimum capital valuation of $10 million.
For any questions or concerns related to the upcoming budget session or any of the federal issues we are focused on, please contact WHTC Executive Director Chris Brown at chris@wyohtc.org