Reducing Coal Severance Tax
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Official record
Bill Summary - 22LSO-0229 Bill No.: HB0105 Effective: 7/1/2022 12:00:00 AM LSO No.: 22LSO-0229 Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0060 Chapter No.: 102 Prime Sponsor: Hallinan Catch Title: Severance tax reduction-coal. Subject: Reducing the severance tax rate for surface coal. Summary/Major Elements: This act reduces the severance tax rate for surface coal from seven percent (7%) to six and one-half percent (6.5%) and makes conforming changes to the distribution of the severance tax to reflect the reduction to six and one-half percent (6.5%). The reduction in the severance tax rate applies only to surface coal that is produced after the effective date of the act, July 1, 2022. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.
Public statements
Last checked Aug 8, 6:11 AM
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because it allows coal companies to voluntarily pre-pay into a trust fund for future reclamation obligations, which strengthens their balance sheets.
R · S28
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports reducing the severance tax to improve coal competitiveness against natural gas and other fuels, citing a federal effort to keep coal in the ground.
R · S24
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because it provides a tax reduction that helps the industry compete against natural gas, which is taxed at a lower rate.
R · S26
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill to change the paradigm for an industry facing declining demand, acknowledging that businesses evolve and products may no longer be wanted.
R · H37
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker urges a no vote because he wants to learn more about the voluntary assigned trust amendment before passing the bill.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports concurrence because the amendment aligns with the original bill's intent to allow voluntary deposits into a reclamation trust, making a conference committee unnecessary.
H52
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes concurrence because keeping the tax reduction allows money to circulate in the economy, generating more state revenue than depositing it into a trust account.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes concurrence because he believes the tax savings will leave Wyoming and cost taxpayers money rather than helping local coal companies.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes concurrence because he views the amendment as an unnecessary addition that was deemed inappropriate by the committee.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker argues that reducing the tax causes revenue to leave Wyoming and suggests funds should be spent within the state instead.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker states that reducing taxes is beneficial for keeping coal companies strong and avoiding further hampering of their operations.
R · H53
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the bill because lowering the severance tax causes money to leave Wyoming.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker argues the bill is necessary to reduce an unfair tax burden on coal compared to competitors, which would provide cash flow and help stabilize the industry.
H52
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker states they will vote against the bill because it involves using federal infrastructure dollars.
If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.
Wyoming roll calls
10 roll calls
Official activity
Changes
4 stored
The amendment proposes to remove a specific line from the bill that relates to reducing severance tax rates for surface coal.
The amendment removes a previous Senate addition to HB0105 that was related to severance tax reduction for coal.
The amendment reduces the severance tax rate for surface coal by changing several percentages in the bill.
The amendment allows surface coal operators to choose to pay an extra half percent of the value of their extracted coal into a voluntary trust for reclamation obligations, starting July 1, 2022.