2.27.24 Legislative Update
Valued WHTC Members,
We have entered week three of 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 366 bills and resolutions posted for consideration. You can monitor all bills for the 2024 budget session here: https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2024
The Budget Bill was presented three times simultaneously in both the House and the Senate. The House and Senate budget bills are currently about $1 billion apart from each other. Each chamber will assign a 5 member conference committee to attempt to work out the differences before the final budget gets voted on in each chamber and then goes to Governor Mark Gordon’s desk for final signature.
-
Thursday, February 27, 2024
Final day for bills on third reading in House of Origin (crossover)
Friday, March 1, 2024
Interim topic requests due by 4:00 pm
-
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: Our top priorities for The Wyoming Tourism Board budget were passed in both chambers to include the $8.8 million that was previously 1-time funding, as part of the standard budget as well as funding to fill the two positions of Industry Development Manager and Data Analyst. Thank you to those of you who took the time to reach out to your legislators! The House also passed amendments of $2 million for the USA 250 grants/celebration, $500,000 for an airshow, and $150,000 to study renovations at the State Veterans Museum. Those three amendments will be worked out between the House and Senate.
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 the House and passed Committee in the Senate.
-
(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: Passed 2nd reading in the Senate.
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: Passed Senate. Introduced and assigned to the House Corporations 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: Passed 2nd reading in the Senate.
-
HB 203 Property Tax Reduction and Replacement Act
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2024/HB0203
Would exempt all property tax for residential property valued up to $1 million. Would also add 2% to state sales tax. Provides a rebate “if funds available” to industries that pay severance tax.
Status: On 3rd reading in House today. Amended to be a 1% sales tax increase and to exempt property tax up to $200,000 in value. Also delays implementation by 1 year.
-
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