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Thermopolis hosts interim committee

Monday and Tuesday, Thermopolis was home to a meeting of the Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs.

Senate District 20 representative Wyatt Agar noted the interim committees meet three times, and each meeting lasts two days, essentially providing six days to discuss the various bill drafts and choose those they plan to pass or sponsor.

Agar, who was only able to attend the meeting Monday morning due to other obligations, requested discussion regarding the draft bill 18LSO-0151 regarding a veterans’ skilled nursing center.

Agar explained the bill, essentially, allows them to move forward regarding the center. The number of aging veterans who are in need of critical care is increasing, Agar said, and the bill allows for leverage of federal dollars which would cover 65 percent of the cost of a care facility. Day-to-day operation of the facility would also be covered by federal dollars.

The bill was passed by the committee, Agar noted, which will allow for a Level 2 study into the nursing center to address where the facility will be built, what the cost will be and whether there is enough skilled staff to operate it.

Another bill draft that passed by the committee was 18LSO-0274, regarding Purple Heart Day. Agar noted this bill will help bring more recognition to our veterans.

Senator Curt Meier, who co-chairs the joint committee along with Representative John Eklund, said the landmark legislation for the upcoming term will be in regard to the long-term care facilities the state has for veterans.

Meier also commented on bill draft 18LSO-0158, regarding vehicle registration fees and the calculation of county fees, noting the draft did not get enough votes to move forward.

Meier explained the bill would, essentially provide a break at the $11,000 vehicle price tag. Those whose vehicles cost over $11,000 would see higher registrations in the first six years of owning the vehicle but over time their fees would decrease. Those with vehicles that cost less than $11,000 would see marginally higher registration fees.

As the cost of vehicles continues to increase, Meier further added, the bill was aimed at providing some tax breaks for people.

However, he noted, the only way to accomplish that would be to ask for marginally higher registration fees during those first years of ownership.

 

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