Sen. Cooper: Failure of SF0186 a loss of economic development

Senator Ed Cooper (R) Ten Sleep sponsored a bill that he believes would have had a huge economic impact for Wyoming, but the bill failed.  

SF0186, Advanced Nuclear Reactor Manufactures-fuel storage, was described as an act relating to environmental quality; establishing requirements and standards for the storage of nuclear fuel by advanced nuclear reactor manufacturers; providing definitions; making conforming amendments; requiring rulemaking; and providing for effective dates.

The bill failed in House Mineral Committee. 

“They seem to have forgotten that minerals and economic development go hand in hand,” said Cooper. “It supported two really strong manufacturing facilities in Wyoming. 

“The Freedom Caucus voted as a block in committee and defeated it. We have it on the list for the interim topics.” 

Cooper continued he hopes Wyoming doesn’t lose the manufacturers to another state. Several other states are courting them. 

“Both companies have about $180 million construction projects. That is 250 direct jobs after construction for start-up then growth from there. Between the two companies, payroll would be somewhere in the $50 million a year range. A big deal to get them here in Wyoming. We continue to work on it really hard.” 

SFO069-Homeowner property tax exemption, meanwhile, went to the House and came back heavily amended. “We didn’t feel on the Senate side that is where it needed to be. We did not concur. Now it is going through a Joint Conference Committee (JCC).” 

HB0172-Repeal gun free zones and preemption amendments, reads in part “an act relating to concealed weapons; repealing gun free zones; providing for the carrying of concealed weapons as specified; creating a criminal offense for prohibiting entry to a person carrying a concealed weapon as specified; clarifying that only the state legislature may regulate firearms, weapons and ammunition; providing for exceptions; requiring rulemaking; and providing for an effective date.” 

Cooper said there was an amendment last week that he felt was a pretty good one. “It was to allow the schools that are participating in the current program to continue with local choice, arm their teachers as they saw fit and be exempt from the gun free zone bill. It did not pass even though it was a pretty good alternative. The bill is moving forward to the governor’s desk. The senator is concerned the bill could end up in court. 

SF0064-Wyoming opposes mandatory electronic ID devices-livestock,  reads as “an act relating to agriculture, livestock and other animals; providing policies on identification of livestock for disease traceability; specifying that buyers of livestock in receiving states are responsible for the usage of electronic ear tags; requiring the Wyoming livestock board to inform livestock producers of their livestock identification options; providing legislative findings; and providing for an effective date.” 

Cooper is not in favor of mandatory devices. “As a person in the livestock business I think it is counterproductive,” he said. The bill passed both the House and the Senate and now goes to Gov. Gordon. 

HB0199-Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act,  reads in part “an act relating to education; modifying the education savings accounts program; changing the name of the program to the Wyoming freedom scholarship act; creating the Wyoming freedom scholarship program account; modifying distribution of state funds; modifying definitions; increasing the maximum scholarship award; modifying eligibility requirements; repealing provisions; providing appropriations; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.”

The senate added an amendment that would “make the bill at least constitutional.” The amendment was repealed. 

“We did get the Pre-K added to it. That helped the bill. The bill did pass. I voted against it. On to the governor’s desk it goes.” 

SJ0008-Political expenditures, is a joint resolution requesting Congress to propose a constitutional amendment to authorize states and Congress to establish reasonable limits on political contributions made to influence elections.

The Senator reported the resolution is “buried” in the House. He doesn’t believe it will be brought forward. “I didn’t really expect them too,” he said. “They are afraid of it.”