FIFTY-EIGHTH WYOMING LEGISLATURE

APPROVED INTERIM COMMITTEE STUDIES

2006 INTERIM

 

JOINT CORPORATIONS, ELECTIONS AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS INTERIM COMMITTEE

Initial Approved Budget: $30,000

 

Topic #1:          Telecommunications.

 

Update of 1995 Telecommunications Act.  The 1995 Telecommunications Act does not reflect the current competitive environment in the industry.  The committee began studying the topic last interim and there are many issues left to be decided.

 

Topic #2:          Subdivision Laws.

 

Amend county authority to plan and zone large lots.  The legislature enacted a standard law for subdivisions, which left primacy on planning and zoning issues with the counties.  The Wyoming Supreme Court held that the law precludes counties from regulating 35 acre or larger lots.  The committee will address this primacy issue and other provisions contained within Title 18, Chapter 5, Article 3 including agricultural valuation of subdivision lands and vacation of subdivisions. [Note: Changes made by Management Council]

 

Topic #3:          Business Entities.

 

Study updating, modernizing and formalizing corporations, partnership and limited liability company statutes. The state's corporation, partnership and limited liability company statutes have not been reviewed or updated in many years.  They no longer match the model laws.  In addition, the lack of formality in the statutes makes it very easy to create multiple business entities, which is considered a potential threat to homeland security.

 

Topic #4:          Agency Statutory Updates.

 

(a)    Several agencies have requested small changes in the laws governing them that would require little study.

 

(b)    The following agencies have asked for updates in their statutes to address specific concerns:

 

(i)    Realtor/Broker laws  [Note:  Study topic #4(b)(i) was not approved by Management Council.]

(ii)   Professional land surveyors [Note:  Study topic #4(b)(ii) was not approved by Management Council.]

(iii) Fire Protection districts – update of statutes, limitation of liability, boundary changes.

(iv) Municipal officers – citation authority of municipal officers.

(v)   Insurance department – extension of risk based capital requirements to health care insurance companies.

(vi)       Public service commission        [Note:  Study topic #4(b)(vi) was not approved by Management Council] .