Legislative Update
#3
11 February 2010
Our first casualty to report today:
HB0009 - Illegal Fish Stocking - Failed introduction in the House on a vote 37-20-3. As you recall, it takes a 2/3 majority for a non-budget bill to make introduction in a budget session. This one lacked that degree of support, especially from representatives who thought its scope over all waters of the state, rather than just "public" waters constituted too much authority. A mirror bill sponsored by Senator Burns has been received by the Senate, so the issue isn't over yet.
On a brighter note, the Senate Travel committee unanimously passed SF0069-Natural resources large projects on a 5-0 vote. As usual, several folks including WWF and the Stock Growers Land Trust and WGFD testified in favor of the bill.
Senate Travel also heard SF0043 - Game and fish special hunting season extension. This bill adds a clause to W.S. 23-1-102 that empowers the WGF Commission to "open, shorten, or close seasons including providing for season extensions for hunters with disabilities..." (underlined section added). It was sponsored by Sen. Meyer, who has a disabled constituent who wants special seasons designated for disabled hunters. It passed 5-0.
Walt Gasson, Executive Director
Wyoming Wildlife Federation
Our first casualty to report today:
HB0009 - Illegal Fish Stocking - Failed introduction in the House on a vote 37-20-3. As you recall, it takes a 2/3 majority for a non-budget bill to make introduction in a budget session. This one lacked that degree of support, especially from representatives who thought its scope over all waters of the state, rather than just "public" waters constituted too much authority. A mirror bill sponsored by Senator Burns has been received by the Senate, so the issue isn't over yet.
On a brighter note, the Senate Travel committee unanimously passed SF0069-Natural resources large projects on a 5-0 vote. As usual, several folks including WWF and the Stock Growers Land Trust and WGFD testified in favor of the bill.
Senate Travel also heard SF0043 - Game and fish special hunting season extension. This bill adds a clause to W.S. 23-1-102 that empowers the WGF Commission to "open, shorten, or close seasons including providing for season extensions for hunters with disabilities..." (underlined section added). It was sponsored by Sen. Meyer, who has a disabled constituent who wants special seasons designated for disabled hunters. It passed 5-0.
Walt Gasson, Executive Director
Wyoming Wildlife Federation