FIFTY-NINTH WYOMING LEGISLATURE

APPROVED INTERIM COMMITTEE STUDIES

2007 INTERIM

JOINT AGRICULTURE, STATE AND PUBLIC LANDS AND WATER RESOURCES INTERIM COMMITTEE

Standard Budget:                 $25,000

Priority     1         Water and Water Management.

Study state water issues and address the need for water management. The committee will consider state water resources, management of streams and rivers, conditions of irrigation systems, water conservation measures, weather modification and instream flows.  The Committee would like to include a field trip with one meeting to look at various water issues.

Priority     2         State Lands.

Study issues relating to management of state lands, including forest health management, growth pressures on state lands, conflicts in leasing of state lands and implementation of recommendations from the task force.  The Committee would like to include a field trip with one meeting to look at various state lands issues.  The tour may include the Duncan Ranch, the BB Brooks Ranch, and lands within the Town of Glenrock.

Priority     3         Department of Agriculture and Other Agencies.

Review the current law with regard to several areas in the department, including weights and measures, fuel quality and blends, pesticides, fertilizers, and damage  from prairie dogs.  The Committee will consider what changes are necessary to protect agricultural producers and to update the current laws.  The Committee will address as necessary issues from other agencies that routinely come before the Committee, such as the Livestock Board and the State Engineer. [Note: This topic was designated by Management Council as "2009 legislation".  This indicates that the study was  authorized by the Council with the understanding that background work on the topic may commence in the 2007 interim, but with the  further expectation that any major legislation on the issue will be developed by the Committee during the 2008 interim for introduction in the 2009 General Session.]

Priority     4         State Fair Facilities.

Review the current use of the state fair facilities and consider the possibility of expanding the use of the facilities.  The Committee would like to include a field trip of the state fair facilities with one meeting.

Tentative Meeting Schedule.

The Committee anticipates one 2-day meeting the end of April in Laramie and one 2-day meeting no later than September 15 in Douglas.  Part of each meeting will include a field trip to acquaint the Committee with various issues the Committee is considering. [Note: Underscored language added by Management Council]