FIFTY-EIGHTH WYOMING LEGISLATURE

APPROVED INTERIM COMMITTEE STUDIES

2005 INTERIM

JOINT AGRICULTURE, PUBLIC LANDS AND WATER RESOURCES INTERIM COMMITTEE

Initial Approved Budget: $22,000

Topic #1:              Agriculture issues including:

(a) Board of Agriculture and Livestock Board:  The Board of Agriculture and the Livestock Board are advisory boards, but have certain statutory authority.  The Board of Agriculture only receives $10.00 per day compensation plus travel compared to much higher rates provided to other boards.  The Committee will review the Board of Agriculture and the Livestock Board, their authority, responsibilities and compensation structures.

(b) Anti-trust:  The Committee will study agriculture businesses to consider if any anti-trust legislation is required in response to the United States Supreme Court case of Illinois Brick Co. v. Illinois.

(c) Youth Leadership:  The Board of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture in coordination with the Governor's office started a pilot project to recruit young people into agriculture.  The Committee will consider whether this pilot project should be made permanent.

Topic #2:             Agriculture crop issues.

(a) Weed and Pest:  There is currently a county that is in the process of declaring coyotes as a pest in order to use Weed and Pest District monies for predator control.  The Committee will look at Predatory Animal Board and Weed and Pest Control responsibilities and budgets.

(b) Grain Indemnity Account:  Because of the warehouse problem this year, and in light of the considerable time spent over the past few years regarding bankruptcy, insolvency or fraud of persons purchasing Wyoming crops, the Committee will consider the need for a commodity indemnity account.

Topic #3:         Agriculture livestock issues including:

(a) Animal Identification:  The Committee will review the Livestock Board's pilot project on an animal identification system and determine resource needs for enhanced technology and implementation to address the national animal identification program. 

(b) Livestock Dealers:  In order to regain its Brucellosis free status, Wyoming must show it requires its livestock dealers to be registered.  The Committee will review the status of livestock dealers and consider potential legislation.

(c) Abandonment of Sheep:  With the increase in need for jobs in the minerals industry, the sheep industry is having a difficult time keeping herders for their flocks of sheep.  Because of the economic investment in each flock, the Committee will consider if changes are necessary to the statutes regarding abandonment or desertion of sheep.

Topic #3:         Agriculture property issues.

(a) Land Use Restriction Compensation:  The Committee will study legislation similar to the Oregon 2004 law that requires just compensation if a public entity enforces a land use regulation that restricts the use of private real property and has the effect of reducing the fair market value of the property.

(b) Enforcement of Recreation Abuses on State Lands:  The Committee will study the Board of Land Commissioners rules and regulations relating to recreational use of state lands and determine if additional authority is needed for enforcement of policies regarding recreational uses of state lands.

(c) Hawk Springs Conservation District:  The Committee will consider various issues relating to the Hawk Springs Conservation District and propose legislation if necessary.