Probate task force.

WORKING DRAFT
2007
STATE OF
WYOMING
07LSO-0007

HOUSE BILL
NO.
HB0002

Probate task force.

Sponsored by:
Joint Judiciary Interim Committee

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to the administration of government; creating a task force to study probate procedures in Wyoming; specifying membership and duties; requiring a report; providing an appropriation; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of
Wyoming
:

Section 1.

(a)

There is created a task force on probate procedures.

(b)

The task force shall be comprised of:

(i)

Two (2) members of the
Wyoming
senate, appointed by the president of the senate. Not more than one (1) member shall be of the same political party. The president of the senate shall designate a cochairman of the task force;

(ii)

Two (2) members of the
Wyoming
house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house. Not more than one (1) member shall be of the same political party. The speaker of the house shall designate a cochairman of the task force;

(iii)

The following
,

selected jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house:

(A)

Three (3) members of the
Wyoming
state bar, practicing in probate law
;

(
B
)

One (1) person licensed as a certified public accountant, experienced in trust and estate tax matters;

(
C
)

One (1) person who is employed as a trust officer or fiduciary;

(
D
)

One (1) clerk of district court.

(c)

The task force shall:

(i)

Meet no less than four (4) times;

(ii)

Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current probate procedures in Wyoming, including any applicable exemptions affecting probate, to identify inefficiencies and unnecessary procedures that may complicate probate matters for individuals, their representatives, creditors and others affected by probate;

(iii)

Review the Uniform Probate Code published by the
National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws
;

(i
v
)

Develop a recommendation on whether
Wyoming
should enact the Uniform Probate Code, or revise the Wyoming Probate Code to simplify procedures and eliminate inefficiencies, and submit draft legislation for consideration by the joint judiciary interim committee;

(v)

Report its findings and recommendations to the joint judiciary interim committee no later than November 1, 2007.

(d)

Legislators serving on the task force shall be paid salary, per diem and travel expenses as provided in W.S. 28
‑
5
‑
101 for their official duties as members of the task force. Nonlegislative members serving on the task force shall receive travel and per diem expenses incurred for their official duties as members of the task force in the same amount as legislative members under W.S. 28
‑
5
‑
101.

(e)

The task force shall be staffed by the legislative service office. State agencies, including the
University
of
Wyoming
, shall assist the task force as requested in conducting its duties under this act.

Section 2.

For the
period beginning with the effective date of this act and ending June 30, 2008, t
here is appropriated twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) from the general fund to the legislative service office
for purposes of this act
.

Section 3.

This act is effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(END)

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HB0002