Day six of the Wyoming Legislature saw emotional debate on the floor of the House and a bill banning foreign adversaries owning Wyoming property advancing out of committee.
• The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality is asking for a 108% hike in emission fees charged to energy producers. That’s despite President Donald Trump’s promises to reverse former President Joe Biden’s energy policies.
• The House Agriculture committee gave a thumbs up to a constitutional measure that will ban foreign adversaries from owning Wyoming property. Deciding who those foreign adversaries are will be debated on the House floor.
• A Wyoming legislator wants to clear up what’s become a contentious process for filling political vacancies around Wyoming. Under a proposed bill, if a county commission or other elected body can’t pick from the local party’s finalists, the party will do it instead of a judge.
Bits And Pieces
State Rep. Martha Lawley, R-Worland, was driven to tears Tuesday when speaking against an anti-ESG bill that she and others believe could cost the state billions of dollars in lost investments. … Multiple lawmakers who attended President Donald Trump’s inauguration spoke glowingly about the experience. Sen. Stacey Jones, R-Rock Springs, was on Capitol Hill for the event and said she was given a tour of U.S. John Barrasso’s new office as Senate Whip. … Senate President Bo Biteman, R-Ranchester, and House Speaker Neiman, R-Hulett, plan to travel to Washington, D.C., and meet with energy representatives in Trump’s Cabinet this year.
Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.
