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Five bills you should care about
By PETER GARTRELL, News-Record Writer
With more than 180 bills floating around the state Legislature before its doors swing open Monday morning, a person can be forgiven for not knowing every issue that will be discussed over the next month under the dome in Cheyenne.In addition to the House and Senate’s budget-making duties, several bills ranging from school funding to capturing carbon dioxide to paying for water projects will come before legislators.
But how about the bills that could have a quick impact on your life?
The News-Record did a little digging and found a handful of bills that, while perhaps not important in the grand scheme of things, could have an affect on day-to-day life for most Wyomingites.
Procedural rules will require each bill to get a two-thirds vote of their respective chamber to reach committee, making the bar higher than odd-year sessions. Still, many bills will still reach the floor for up-or-down votes.
Here are five issues that might be worth following to see if they make it through the maze from idea to law:
1. Buckling up: It’s one of the shortest bills introduced at just two lines but it could change a lot of people’s habits.
An increasing number of states have what are known as “click it or ticket” laws that allow officers to pull over a driver for driving without their seatbelt. Wyoming’s laws are a little bit different — you can’t be pulled over for not wearing a seat belt, but if you are pulled over for another infraction you can be ticketed for not doing so.
House Bill 58 aims to change that — if passed, law enforcement will have the authority to pull drivers over for seat belt violations beginning July 1.
2. Public smoking ban: After going up in smoke in 2007, another version of this bill will has been introduced in the House this year.
House Bill 87, sponsored by Cheyenne Democrat Lori Millin, would make it a misdemeanor to smoke in public places like bars, restaurants and offices, among other places.
The bill has three Senate sponsors and eight co-sponsors in the 60-member House, giving it relatively broad bi-partisan support heading into the session.
3. No more phones in cars: For anyone who hates seeing people driving with a phone glued to their ear, these bills are for you: both House bills 70 and 94 would outlaw the use of mobile devices in moving vehicles.
The bills do have differences, though — H.B. 70 is narrower and would put restrictions on people with instructional, temporary, intermediate or restricted licenses.
H.B. 94 is more broad and would put blanket restrictions for all but emergency vehicle operators, people calling 911 or those talking while their vehicle is completely stopped.
4. Park fees going up?: Trails may not be the only thing hiked at Wyoming’s parks in 2009 — House Bill 10 aims to increase fees across the board at parks around the state.
The fee increases are modest, ranging from as little as $1 for some daily permits to as much as $75 for group overnight stays at Curt Gowdy and Buffalo Bill parks, but will hit users nonetheless. One other provision of the bill would add amenities fees for some camping hookups, which would go to help the Parks and Cultural Resources Department maintain and expand such services.
Changes would go into effect in 2009.
5. Driver’s license increase: Parks fees aren’t the only increases Wyoming residents could see before the end of the legislative session.
Driver’s licenses could cost more beginning July 1 if House Bill 63 is passed by the legislature. The measure, if passed by both chambers, would double most fees paid for various licenses, permits and cards offered by the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
KEY DATES TO REMEMBER
- Monday: The session convenes at 10 a.m. Gov. Dave Freudenthal will deliver his annual State of the State message to the Legislature, followed by the State of the Judiciary message, delivered by Wyoming Supreme Court Chief Justice Barton Voigt.
Wyoming PBS will carry the speech live. It will be broadcast at 7 and 10 p.m. followed by commentary from legislative leaders on Channel 6.
- Wednesday: Noon deadline for draft bills to be filed in final form
- Friday: Last day for bills to be introduced
- March 7: The session is set to adjourn by midnight
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| Enrollment continues to climb | Lawmakers say budget session demands restraint |
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