Stan Cooper

The lawmaker supports the bill because it provides stability for health care districts by removing a requirement that forces them to seek voter approval for their levy every four years, which helps in hiring staff and planning construction.

The lawmaker supports concurring with the House amendments because he asserts that Bitter Creek was diverted for coal mining and polluted by those operations, making it a valid reclamation project.

The lawmaker supports the resolution because federal management lacks funding, causing increased livestock losses for ranchers and creating unfunded mandates that states must pay.

The lawmaker supports the amendment to reduce school funding cuts because small rural districts cannot easily consolidate classes or achieve economies of scale, making them more vulnerable to financial reductions.

The lawmaker opposes the bill because they believe it is necessary to prevent being locked out of requesting opinions when the legislature is not in session, as suggested by a document from the Attorney General's office.

The speaker supports the bill because existing transportation departments cannot handle economic development, local government coordination, or tourism work required for small communities to develop bicycle path systems.

The lawmaker explains that the bill is needed to honor Purple Heart recipients who were wounded in combat but do not have a 100% disability rating, as current law only covers those with total disabilities.