2.05.24 Legislative Update
Valued WHTC Members,
On Monday, February 12, 2024, the 67th Wyoming Legislature will convene for a 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 are currently 178 bills and resolutions posted. We expect about 300 total for consideration. You can monitor all bills for the 2024 budget session here https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2024
The Budget Bill is presented three separate times, simultaneously in both the House and the Senate. Any differences between the two versions are worked out in Conference Committees before the final budget gets voted on in each chamber and then goes to Governor Mark Gordon’s desk for final signature.
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Monday, February 12, 2024
Budget Session Convenes 10:00 a.m
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Deadline for all bills to be submitted in final form
Thursday, February 15, 2024
First reading of Budget Bill
Friday, February 16, 2024
First reading of Budget Bill (cont.)
Friday, February 16, 2024
Deadline for bills to be introduced
Monday, February 19, 2024
Second reading of Budget Bill
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During the legislative session, please keep an eye on your emails for a “Call to Action.” We use them sparingly and only when we need you to engage with lawmakers on legislation that couldsignificantly impact your business and our industry. When you see a call to action from us, it will clearly explain how you can take 5 minutes to email legislators about the issue. Calls to action are usually time-sensitive, requiring immediate attention. During every session, your voice is the most important one to your legislators. Please engage if you see a call to action. If we need to send a call to action, it will most likely be Monday morning, February 19 during the second reading of the budget when most amendments are posted. Please keep a close eye out Monday morning Feb 19.
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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 one-time funding or "an exception request." 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: The Joint Appropriations Committee voted to support “Gov’s Rec” with the following amendment- $2 million from the Wyoming Tourism Account (the main account) for a 250th celebration of the United States as well as $750,000 for a float in the Rose Bowl parade. There is still some discussion to be had at JAC this week. We will continue to engage and monitor the budget as it makes its way through the session.
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: Received in the House for introduction.
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 the governanace structure, similar to the Wyoming Natural Resources Trust Fund and will facilitate all 23 counties being able to apply for grants related to building out and maintaining Outdoor Recreation and Tourism related product. This is a committee bill sponsored by the Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee.
Status: Received in the Senate for introduction.
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(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)
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
Status: Received in the House for introduction.
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.
Status: Received in the House for introduction.
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.
Status: Received in the Senate for introduction.
SF 68 Tangible Personal Property-Tax Exemption
https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2024/SF0068
Exempts all tangible personal (business) property from taxation.
Status: Received in the Senate for introduction.
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