This will be the last legislative session in which Gov. Dave Freuthenthal’s signature will convert bills into laws. On Thursday morning, he announced he will not run for another term as Wyoming’s governor, but this week many bills landed on his desk.

The Wyoming State Legislature wrapped its 60th session up today, leaving more than 100 bills inactive and working out a $50 million difference between the Senate and House budget bills.

As of press time, the House and Senate had appointed their respective general governmental appropriations bills to a Joint Conference Committee. Last Thursday the two released budgets in which the Senate was more fiscally conservative in school construction and direct distributions to local governments. The General Fund sits at $2.9 billion and a compromise was expected by Tuesday.

Of the more than 100 bills that failed, missed a deadline for consideration or were indefinitely postponed were a minimum wage increase from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour, the proposed Wyoming Firearms Freedom Act that would exempt Wyoming from federal regulation, the proposed Wyoming Food Freedom Act and the House version of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) amendments.

However, the Senate DUI penalties amendment was presented to Freudenthal Wednesday afternoon, and he signed it into law as SEA11.

The Governor also acted on House Bill 13, regarding underage drinking. The bill, which he signed into law, creates an offense for anyone under 21 attempting to enter a business or location in which alcohol is sold and expands offenses for underage drinking.

Freudenthal also signed Senate File 26, which permits individuals with a concealed weapons permit from any other state to carry a concealed firearm in Wyoming and would permit those convicted of misdemeanor controlled substance offenses to acquire a permit a year after completing a sentence.

Among the bills still awaiting active in one of the houses or waiting action by Freudenthal Thursday afternoon are the juvenile detention facilities bills and extended eligibility for concealed weapons permits. The action taken by the governor on Thursday was not available at press time.

The following bills are working their way to the governor’s desk.

House Bill 95

Entrenched in talk of automatic rifles, rocket propelled grenades and silencers, this bill passed the House and passed the second reading in the Senate Tuesday night with amendments to exclude them. The bill would exempt owners and manufacturers of firearms manufactured, sold, purchased, possessed and used exclusively in Wyoming from federal regulation. This would include registration.

Senate File 20: Texting and driving

This bill proposes the prohibition of sending or reading text messages while operating a motor vehicle.

It has passed the second reading in the House

Senate File 0072: Wyoming retirement plan

The Senate proposed adjustments to contributions employees and employers make to the Wyoming Retirement plan. The bill proposes an increase for all covered members from 5.57 percent to 7 percent. Furthermore, employers would pay 5.57 percent of the member’s salary without salary reduction or offset.

House Bill 64: Mandatory minimum sentence for sexual abuse of a minor

This Bill would set a minimum sentence of abuse by a minor under 13 by an adult 18 or older at 25 years. Current Wyoming Statute only has a maximum penalty of 50 years.

This House bill passed the second reading in the Senate.

Joint Resolution 1: Resolution to amend the U.S. Constitution

The resolution seeks to solidify Wyoming’s state sovereignty. The resolution description states the resolution ask “Congress to cease and desist from enacting mandates that are beyond the scope of the enumerated powers granted to Congress by the Constitution of the United States.”

This resolution has passed the second reading in the Senate.

House Bill 72: Regulation of wind energy facilities

If passed, this act would require permitting of wind energy facilities by County Commissions, establish minimum standards for wind facilities, provide for the review of county permitting decisions and provide for referrals to the industrial siting council. The bill also outlines requirements for rulemaking, penalties, fees and financial assurances.

This House bill passed the second reading in the Senate as well.

House Bill 79: Eminent domain-wind power collector lines

The power of condemnation for the erection, placement or expansion of lines for wind generated electricity would be limited by this action. The prohibition on any such condemnation would be effective upon signing and last until June 30, 2011.

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