Wyoming budget session passes halfway point

The budget for general state appropriations, or HB 1, has passed the House, House Rep. Dalton Banks, R-Cowley, said. 

Banks said he was disappointed in certain appropriations which were added on and were not initial appropriations, which are not needed as essential functions of the state. He said he hopes that the joint conference committee will reach an agreement to be more fiscally responsible. 

Although some bills regarding mental health did not survive the House, like HB 186 and HB 144, Banks said there is still enough funding for the 988 call center in the budget. 

“The amendment to the budget was for $40 million. That fills the trust fund and should be adequate to provide for the services of the 988 call center,” Banks said. 

HB 60, which provides ranchers compensation for pasture and rangeland that elk overfeed on, passed the House on second reading. The reasoning behind the bill was that since elk are property of the state, the state should reimburse the landowner for pasture and rangeland which is overgrazed. 

HB 104, an omnibus water bill, passed the House unanimously on third reading. 

Property tax reductions also passed. HB 3, which provides a property tax exemption for property owners over 65 who have spent at least 30 years paying state property taxes, passed the House, Banks said. It is currently on the Senate floor to be received for introduction, according to the legislative website. 

HB 52, the homestead property tax exemption, passed the House on second reading. Banks said the bill provides an exemption on the first $100,000 of property taxes, and that exemption backfills to local governments. 

HB 125, which repeals gun-free zones, including in schools, passed the House on second reading. Banks said the repeal of gun-free zones would allow for responsible concealed carry to protect others. HB 81, which Banks introduced and amends public officer training passed the house and is currently on general file for the Senate, according to the legislative website. 

HB 92, which protects parental rights, passed the House, was introduced in the Senate, and referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. Banks said it is important to ensure parents’ rights are not eroded when it comes to their children. 

HB 148, which regulates surgical abortions, passed the House and is currently in the Senate. Banks said the bill states abortion is not healthcare. He said it was put in place pending the current lawsuits Wyoming is facing regarding abortion from HB 152, which was passed last year and is in front of the Wyoming Supreme Court.