Legislative update: Rep. Duncan, Wednesday, Jan. 23

Posted 1/23/19

House District No. 5 Rep. Shelly Duncan provides a legislative update Wednesday, Jan. 23.

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Legislative update: Rep. Duncan, Wednesday, Jan. 23

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CHEYENNE - A legislative update from House District No. 5 Rep. Shelly Duncan:

"HB104 was heard in committee last night and passed 7-2. This is to require railroad to maintain min of 2 man crew across Wyoming. Eric Duncan testified in person in support of this bill and told the committee about the experience of fatigue, safety & having security of one maintain the engine while the other secures the train with hand breaks, discuss with first responders if necessary etc.

 

HB196 is my bill being heard tomorrow in corporations.

This is a needed belts and suspenders bill so that the state family subdivision exemption law is available to production ag in all 23 counties. Production ag in the rural zone needs state law to be available to them in all 23 counties…..not just 22 of them. If you have a son, daughter, grandchild, grandparent even who wants to live near the ranch headquarters, Wyoming law says you should be able to do that.  This is about total clarity in the law. Denying ag families a building permit for less than 35 acre parcel is not according to state laws or case law-that’s why we need to make it crystal clear.  As the courts have said on family subdivision exemptions-follow the law. Period. So we are adding that extra punctuation to the statues.  Fairness. Following the state law and keep production ag for next generations and letting families live on their own land.

 

HB212 Alcoholic beverages-business flexibility)

This bill allows distilleries and rectifiers to hold liquor licenses similar to the way microbreweries and wineries currently can, and allows existing liquor licensees to hold a manufacturer’s permit for spirits as well. It largely corrects an oversight that occurred when the Legislature passed state statutes governing distilleries and rectifiers in 2012. In Federal and State law, the “three tiered system” is the foundation of alcohol manufacture, wholesale, and retail sales. HB212 addresses that issue by allowing Wyoming distilleries and rectifiers to hold a retail liquor license. In addition, a Supreme Court case, “Granholm vs Heald (2006),” would require us to allow out-of-state manufacturers that same ability for temporary permits or retail sales if Wyoming manufacturers are allowed to do so…something that could have very negative repercussions for Wyoming businesses. Again, HB212 largely avoids that problem by allowing Wyoming distilleries and rectifiers to hold a retail liquor license.  HB212 allows Wyoming distilleries and rectifiers to enhance their business into the retail sector, while also allowing Wyoming retailers to open their own manufacturing facilities to further produce Wyoming products."