Winter comments on State Legislature

Representative John Winter sent an update on what has been happening in the State Legislature over the past week, focusing on a few bills that have passed the House.

HB 197 is a bill relating to a 48-hour waiting period before an abortion can be performed.

“The prime purpose of this legislation is to encourage the woman to consider her decision,” Winter said. “There are many stories of women deeply regretting their decisions after the fact.”

The physician is required to wait 48-hours before any abortion is performed, and if not adhered to, it will be a felony.

The bill passed the House and has been sent on to the Senate.

HB 159 is the monthly payment of Ad Valorem tax on mineral production.

“The counties are wanting this monthly payment as many companies are taking out bankruptcy and not making payments,” Winter said. “This proposal will be beneficial to all involved.”

The bill passed the House and waits for Senate approval.

The Wyoming Gaming Commission is referred to in HB 171.

“Skill games are prevalent in Wyoming right now with no oversight,” said Winter. “The real consideration on this was the opt in/out clause so the local communities can decide if they want gaming or not.”

The bill has moved on to the Senate after passing in the House.

HB 134, Wyoming Tourism Account Funding, otherwise known as lodging tax, has passed the House and the Senate and has been returned to the House for concurrence.

If it passes the Senate, HB 209 will add the requirement that a major political party affiliation change has to happen before the day of the primary or general election.

And finally, HB 249 authorizes a study of the purchase of Oxy property and mineral rights along the railroad in southern Wyoming.

“The budget session is complicated,” Winter said, “and very intense at times, trying to work out the differences with too long days, considering the proposals and amendments to the budget.”