Administrative Rule Review Report   #AR10-005

Legislative Service Office

12-Jan-10

AGENCY: Wildlife & Natural Resource Trust Account Board.

DATE SUBMITTED: January 11, 2010.

SUBJECT: Chapter 7, Grant Evaluation and Prioritization Process.

NATURE OF RULES:                     Legislative and procedural.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY:         W.S. 9-15-103(d).

DETERMINATION OF PROCEDURAL COMPLIANCE BASED UPON INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY THE AGENCY TO LSO:  Apparently complete to date.

SUMMARY OF RULES:        The rules authorize the Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Account Board to grant small amounts (up to $2,500) at any regularly scheduled board meeting throughout the year.  Such "quick grants" will be made only to qualified applicants.

FINDINGS:  The rules appear to be within the scope of statutory authority and legislative intent.  LSO did inquire with Bob Budd, Executive Director of the Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, to confirm that "quick grant" applications will go through a ranking and prioritization process as required by W.S. 9-15-104(f)(iii).  Mr. Budd indicated that the applications will go through such a process, but that the they will be prioritized and ranked only among other applications applying for quick grant funds.  LSO believes that such a procedure is not prohibited by any specific language within the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Funding Act.  However, LSO does note that that the proposed procedure does allow a certain class of non-emergency applications to proceed without following the standard process for obtaining funding.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  That the rules be placed on the Consent List and be approved by the Council as submitted by the Agency.

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Ian D. Shaw

Staff Attorney

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David K. Gruver

Assistant Director

LGC/