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HB0084 • 2024

High Plains Research Station and Arboretum-historic site.

AN ACT relating to state lands; declaring the High Plains Research Station and Arboretum as a state historic site; requiring the department of state parks and cultural resources to manage the high plains research station and arboretum state historic site; requiring the development of a strategic master plan for preservation and operation of the High Plains Research Station and Arboretum state historic site; requiring a report; and providing for an effective date.

Budget
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Appropriations
Last action
2024-02-13
Official status
inactive
Effective date
3/1/2024

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide additional details beyond what is already included in the candidate explanation, so no further information could be added or modified.

High Plains Research Station and Arboretum State Historic Site Act

This act declares the High Plains Research Station and Arboretum in Laramie County as a state historic site, requires the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources to manage it, develop a strategic master plan for its preservation and operation, and submit an annual report.

What This Bill Does

  • Declares the High Plains Research Station and Arboretum as a state historic site.
  • Requires the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources to manage the historic site.
  • Directs the department to develop a strategic master plan for preserving and operating the historic site.
  • Allows the department to enter into leasehold and concession agreements with other entities to help manage the site.
  • Permits the department to charge admission fees above those of other state parks to fund maintenance and operations.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources
  • Visitors to the High Plains Research Station and Arboretum

Terms To Know

Strategic Master Plan
A detailed plan for preserving and operating a historic site.
Leasehold Agreement
An agreement where the department can lease parts of the historic site to other entities.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass in its current session.
  • Details about specific management agreements and fees are left to future decisions by the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources.

Bill History

  1. 2024-02-13 House

    H Failed Introduction 41-20-1-0-0

  2. 2024-01-29 House

    H Received for Introduction

  3. 2024-01-26 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
24LSO-0357
2024
STATE OF WYOMING
24LSO-0357
Numbered
2.0

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0084

High Plains Research Station and Arboretum-historic site.

Sponsored by: Joint Appropriations Committee

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to state lands; declaring the High Plains Research Station and Arboretum as a state historic site; requiring the department of state parks and cultural resources to manage the high plains research station and arboretum state historic site; requiring the development of a strategic master plan for preservation and operation of the High Plains Research Station and Arboretum state historic site; requiring a report; and providing for an effective date.

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

Section 1.

W.S. 36
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8
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1801 and 36
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8
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1802 are created to read:

ARTICLE 18
HIGH PLAINS RESEARCH STATION AND ARBORETUM
STATE HISTORIC SITE

36
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8
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1801.

High Plains Research Station and Arboretum state historic site; strategic master plan; leasehold and concession agreements.

(a)

The lands in Laramie County managed by the department of state parks and cultural resources and known as the High Plains Research Station and Arboretum are declared to be a state historic site. The department shall by rule specify the legal description of the state historic site.

(b)

The state historic site shall be known as the "High Plains Research Station and Arboretum state historic site".

(c)

The department of state parks and cultural resources shall prepare a strategic master plan for the preservation and operation of the High Plains Research Station and Arboretum state historic site. Under the strategic master plan required by this subsection, the department may develop memoranda of understanding with any city, town, county, department, political subdivision, state agency or other entity, as necessary, to administer, operate, maintain, preserve and study the state historic site.

(d)

The department of state parks and cultural resources is authorized to enter into leasehold and concession agreements in accordance with the plan provided by subsection (c) of this section. Funds received by the department pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited and expended in accordance with W.S. 36
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4
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121(h).

36
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1802.

Administration; fees.

(a)

The department of state parks and cultural resources shall preserve, administer, operate and maintain the High Plains Research Station and Arboretum state historic site in accordance with the strategic master plan specified under W.S. 36
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8
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1801(c).

(b)

The department may, under lease agreement or contract management arrangement, provide for special events at the historic site in accordance with W.S. 36
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4
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121(o) or management of specified areas of the historic site by a public or private entity.

(c)

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department of state parks and cultural resources may impose an admissions fee in excess of fees charged for admissions to other state parks and sites under W.S. 36
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4
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121 to fund necessary expenses incurred for preservation, development, operations, personnel and maintenance of the High Plains Research Station and Arboretum state historic site. The remaining funds collected from the admissions fee at the end of the fiscal year shall be deposited in the state parks account and expended in accordance with W.S. 36
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121(h). Revenues and expenditures under this subsection for each of the immediately preceding two (2) fiscal years shall be reported within the department's biennial budget request submitted under W.S. 9
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1013.

Section 2.

The department of state parks and cultural resources shall initiate the strategic master plan required by this act within one (1) year following the effective date of this act and provide a report on the strategic master plan to the joint travel, recreation, wildlife and cultural resources interim committee no later than October 1, 2025.

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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HB0084