FIFTY-NINTH WYOMING LEGISLATURE

APPROVED INTERIM COMMITTEE STUDIES

2007 INTERIM

 

 

JOINT MINERALS, BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INTERIM COMMITTEE

Standard Budget:                 $25,000

 Priority     1         Minerals Issues

   (a)  AML Issues.  This committee will review the mitigation needs and funding necessary to address and mitigate the remaining abandoned mine lands in Wyoming and study and make recommendations on the distribution of funds received from the federal government, from the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Amendments of 2006, Section 411(h), pursuant to 2007 H.R. 6111.  Upon receipt, these funds will be deposited into the abandoned mine land funds reserve account.

   (b)  Coalbed Methane Issues - The Committee will review and consider various issues relating to coalbed methane development, including the use of water and watershed permitting. The Committee will work with the coalbed methane task force, the Wyoming Pipeline Authority, the Department of Environmental Quality and the State Engineer's Office in considering this issue. 

   (c)  Energy Assets, Incentives and Barriers.  With America’s drive to energy self-sufficiency and Wyoming’s abundance of energy resources, it is critical that the legislature create a plan for Wyoming’s Energy Portfolio.  The Committee will review Wyoming’s energy assets, incentives and barriers for their development, including the involvement of the School of Energy Resources. [Note: Topic 1(c) 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     2         Business Issues [Note: The following Issues were 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.]

  (a)  Economic Development Programs.  Over the years, the Wyoming Business Council has been assigned the responsibility of implementing many new economic development programs.  The Committee will review and evaluate the effectiveness and funding of these programs and make recommendations for any necessary statutory changes.

   (b)  Reports.  The Committee will place new emphasis on consideration of reports and updates, which are important to maintaining the integrity and accountability of various programs.  The Committee will develop report guidelines for better understanding and presentation.

 Priority     3         Economic Development Issues [Note: The following issues were 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.]

  (a)  Workforce:

          (i)  Housing - The Committee will closely monitor the development of the Workforce Housing Infrastructure Program, including development of rules and regulations.  

           (ii)  Training, development and recruitment - Wyoming’s workforce continues to be inadequate to meet the demands of our current economy.  The state does not have a well-defined plan for recruitment, development or training.  The Committee will focus their efforts on recruitment by working with the Department of Workforce Services.  The Committee will also work with the Joint Education Committee and the Department of Education to coordinate workforce training and development needs.

   (b)  Major industrial projects - The Committee will consider the state role in addressing development of new industrial projects, including potential value added programs and state supported infrastructure development.

   (c)  Technology-based Economic Development - Strengthening and diversifying Wyoming’s economy must become a priority, and technology-based economic development, broadly dispersed, is critical to that diversification.   The Committee will identify and focus on the elements necessary to help create a climate in which the technology industry can thrive and be successful.  This will include such topics as the proper role of government, public-private partnerships, and intellectual infrastructure.

 Priority     4         Other Agency Issues

The Committee will consider regular agency topics and issues as time allows:

   (a)  Integrated Resource Planning - The Committee will consider this issue if appropriate draft legislation is presented to the Committee.

   (b)  Wyoming Residential Mortgages Practices Act - The Committee will consider amendments necessary to update the act.  The Committee does not anticipate needing much time for this topic.

   (c)  Realtors - The Committee will consider dealing with the issue of designated real estate agents. The Committee does not anticipate needing much time for this topic.

   (d)  Aeronautics Commission - The Committee will consider funding scenarios for airport improvements in Wyoming and to consider infusing more funds into the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission Loan Program.

Tentative Meeting Schedule

The Committee anticipates three 2-day meetings - one in June, one in July and one  in September or October.


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