End-of-week Wyoming Legislative round-up
Medicaid work-requirement bill dies in House Committee
Cheyenne, WY. – A bill that would have required some 3,500 Medicaid recipients in Wyoming, who were considered able-bodied to work, attend schooling, or volunteer, died in a tied vote in a House committee on Tuesday.The bill passed a Senate vote last week by a wide margin. The bill would have had exemptions for health and age-related issues.
Proposed Yellowstone Fee to support wildlife conservation passes House
Cheyenne, WY. – A proposed fee at Yellowstone National Park that would fund wildlife conservation efforts has passed the Senate on Wednesday. It will now head back to the House for approval of changes made by the Senate. The proposal would generate funds for wildlife conservation in states surrounding Yellowstone National Park, including Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. No word yet on what the fee would cost visitors. The fee, if approved would still need to be approved and enacted by the federal government.
Air Service bill files through House
Cheyenne, WY. – The state House passed a proposal, 40-19 on Wednesday, that would look to bolster commercial air service in the state. The bill would see the creation of a special council to solicit bids from airlines and negotiate a 10-year contract to provide daily flights to a major airport hub from Wyoming cities. Under the plan, an additional $1 million would be used to bolster the current subsidized air service program. The bill will need to go back to the Senate to approve changes made by the House.
‘Stand Your Ground’ bills push forward
Cheyenne, WY. – Similar ‘stand your ground’ bills will see full debates on both floors of the Wyoming House and Senate. The similar, yet separate bills are looking to expand the state’s law which offers legal protections to individuals who use deadly force inside the home, without having to consider if it’s reasonable to retreat. Currently state law doesn’t apply those protections outside of the home. Supporters say the bills would benefit law-abiding citizens who are attacked, while opponents fear an increase in unnecessary shootings.
