Select committee on extractive industry transitions.

21LSO-0640
2021
STATE OF WYOMING
21LSO-0640
Numbered
2.0

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0205

Select committee on extractive industry transitions.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Banks, Brown, Hallinan and Sherwood and Senator(s) Driskill, Furphy and Rothfuss

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to the legislature; creating the select committee on extractive industry transitions; providing for the appointment of members and executive branch liaisons; specifying duties; providing appropriations; and providing for an effective date.

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

Section 1
.

W.S. 28
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11
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801 is created to read:

ARTICLE 8
SELECT COMMITTEE ON EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY TRANSITIONS

28
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11
‑
801.

Appointment of members; powers and duties; executive branch liaisons.

(a)

Not later than March 15 following each general election, a select committee on extractive industry transitions shall be appointed subject to the following:

(i)

The president of the senate shall appoint three (3) members of the senate apportioned as nearly as possible to reflect the percentage of the elected membership of the majority and minority parties of the senate, provided not more than two (2) of the members shall be from the same political party. The president of the senate shall designate a co
‑
chair of the select committee;

(ii)

The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint three (3) members of the house apportioned as nearly as possible to reflect the percentage of the elected membership of the majority and minority parties of the house, provided not more than two (2) of the members shall be from the same political party. The speaker of the house shall designate a co
‑
chair of the select committee.

(b)

The select committee shall:

(i)

Develop knowledge and expertise among its members regarding issues related to transitions in the extractive industry in Wyoming;

(ii)

In coordination with the Wyoming business council and the Wyoming energy authority:

(A)

Understand and promote the proactive approaches taken by communities, state agencies, industry groups and individual firms with respect to extractive industry transitions; and

(B)

Identify and support ways to add value and facilitate economic development in Wyoming's natural resource sector, including through the development and introduction of legislation.

(iii)

Engage with representatives from energy impacted communities, labor unions, public utilities and economic development organizations to develop and introduce legislation as necessary to assist communities, workers and businesses that are, or will likely experience impacts due to transitions in coal, oil and gas markets, including the
closure of existing extractive industry facilities in Wyoming.

(c)

Not later than March 15 following each general election, the governor shall appoint three (3) persons to serve as liaisons to the select committee on extractive industry transitions. The governor may, in a manner consistent with W.S. 9
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1
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202, remove any liaison to the select committee. The liaisons shall:

(i)

Aid, assist and advise the select committee on issues related to transitions in the extractive industry in Wyoming;

(ii)

Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, serve without salary but may, at the governor's discretion, receive per diem and mileage or actual expenses for attending meetings in the manner and amounts provided by law for state employees. Members who are government employees shall be considered on official business of their agency when performing duties as liaisons to the select committee.

Section 2.

(a)

Within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act:

(i)

The president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint members to the initial select committee on extractive industry transitions in accordance with the requirements of W.S. 28
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11
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801(a), as created by this act;

(ii)

The governor shall appoint liaisons to the initial select committee on extractive industry transitions in accordance with the requirements of W.S. 28
‑
11
‑
801(c), as created by this act.

Section 3.

(a)

There is appropriated twenty
‑
two thousand dollars ($22,000.00) from the general fund to the legislative service office for purposes of providing salary, mileage and per diem to members of the select committee on extractive industry transitions and for other expenses of
the select committee authorized by law or policy of the legislature. This appropriation shall be for the period beginning with the effective date of this act and ending June 30, 2022. This appropriation shall not be transferred or expended for any other purpose and any unexpended, unobligated funds remaining from this appropriation shall revert as provided by law on June 30, 2022.

(b)

There is appropriated five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) from the general fund to the governor's office for purposes of providing per diem and mileage or actual expenses to liaisons appointed to the select committee on extractive industry transitions. This appropriation shall be for the period beginning with the effective date of this act and ending June 30, 2022. This appropriation shall not be transferred or expended for any other purpose and any unexpended, unobligated funds remaining from this appropriation shall revert as provided by law on June 30, 2022.

Section 4.

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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HB0205