Wyoming Legislature update

Representative John Winter checked in from Cheyenne this week after taking action on several bills, including the grizzly delisting resolution, shed antler legislation, regulation of hunting methods, lodging tax and Board of Outfitter and Guides civil penalties.

All of the aforementioned bills passed the House on third reading and will now head to the Senate for consideration.

One of the bills making the rounds this past week was HB0066, a statewide lodging tax bill.

The bill calls for a 5 percent tax on lodging on a statewide scale that would be in addition to any county wide lodging taxes.

Eighty percent of the collected monies would be used for a Wyoming Tourism Board and a Wyoming Office of Tourism to promote the state on a national scale. Funds beyond that 80 percent would placed in reserve and projects accounts for tourism and further funding would be deposited into a school foundation account.

Monies would also be distributed to each county with legislative oversight.

“I voted no on HB0066 Lodging Tax,” Winter said, “after receiving input on this bill from various people. One of the primary concerns I’m hearing from constituents is the fact the Wyoming citizens will be paying for additional lodging tax as they travel the state for school events, work requirements and other activities.”

The tax would amount to $5 on a $100 hotel stay.

HB0028 made its way through the House this week, amending the regulations on the collection of shed antlers and horns to minimize the harassment or disturbance of big game populations.

“I voted against it,” Winters said, “because it allows for Government overreach. In other words, the Game and Fish would be establishing State-wide closures.

“The land ownership and land patterns in the Big Horn Basin are different than other parts of the state.”

Several more bills with taxes in one form or another will be coming up soon and Winter will be addressing those as they come up as he has some concerns with some of them.