[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6692287,"mediaKeyId","2170055-da17d4180a0893de1e6c0dd46b788997","parentId",2170055,"title","Panel approves higher snowmobile registration fees to shore up trail grooming funds","audioSeconds",1866,"startMs",43025,"endMs",1910000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170055-da17d4180a0893de1e6c0dd46b788997&start=43&end=1910","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170055-da17d4180a0893de1e6c0dd46b788997/thumbnail_43025.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6692287/Wyoming/Panel-approves-higher-snowmobile-registration-fees-to-shore-up-trail-grooming-funds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6692287-61426a9427b08f22162d54713aa2e08b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186771&Signature=WR6xrxOw6CWGHmSiSKTYRuE66kx9sziD-EPUrDetKjrvzIfv1nwKJr8u6up4D3j6HpCiR5lmQcB4Op0QZUyMkS62yKbBejJ2qOscTqtXK~K0J99eMl~8C0fVd9dMHGgtYpX0trZWPtk51YF~gB5~3WqDLzqz4vvY2vePpxItc3zlodgq3hjkCIl724DpmEKcw1-Mq01V-BEsbZGeH8-f1Fon-ti1Mk12vD~PpPKsgLzAAaVdHiehqDuwl2mQJFGqfk6FBmWNaUVaLrUCPSf4oe~b8rHp14HcSiG4Tt6OrRrRSJV0oPlzgNUPaMCFtku663WtCykNWqD3-f9rcMNSrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wyoming Legislature","date","2025-01-30T21:31:05.51Z","article","The House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee voted to approve House Bill 4, a committee bill to raise snowmobile user fees and create a one‑time $25 antique snowmobile decal, the panel said during its hearing.

The bill, approved by the committee in a roll call, would increase resident snowmobile registration from $35 to $50 and create a nonresident rate of $70 (up from $35), add $45 to commercial fees and establish a $25 antique decal intended for historic‑vehicle events. Committee members said the fee increases are intended to sustain grooming, signage and safety work performed by the Wyoming State Trails program.

Committee members and presenters said the State Parks and Cultural Resources Department and its trails program face rising operating costs and a projected shortfall. “We have about 2,600 miles of trails that we groom,” Deputy Director Chris Floyd told the committee, adding that repeated grooming produces roughly 80,000–90,000 grooming miles annually. Floyd said the trails account is running a roughly $400,000 shortfall this year and that the account historically sits at about $3,000,000.

Dave Glenn, director of State Parks and Cultural Resources, told the committee equipment and contract costs have jumped sharply; he said the price of a Snowcat that cost about $195,000 in 2014 was about $305,000 recently. Forrest Kuminga, Wyoming State Trails program manager, said contractor grooming costs per mile have roughly doubled since the last fee increase: “In 2014 our average rate per grooming mile to our private contractors was $17 a mile. We’re at $32 now,” Kuminga said.

Sen. Stacy Jones (Senate District 13), who said she participated in the interim committee that developed the bill, cited economic benefits and described the proposal as a user fee to sustain services: “Snowmobilers contribute over $255,000,000 to our economy every year,” she said. Representatives of the Wyoming State Snowmobile Association, the American Council of Snowmobile Associations and local club leaders also testified in support, stressing safety, grooming and parking infrastructure needs.

Supporters said the increase would give the program roughly three‑quarters of a million dollars and extend the time before further fee adjustments are needed. The bill sets the effective date for the fee changes as July 1, 2025.

The committee approved the bill on a roll call. Representative Campbell, Representative Connolly, Representative Harshman, Representative Jarvis, Representative Provenza, Representative Storer, Representative Thayer, Representative Wirth and Chairman Byron were recorded as voting aye; the clerk reported “9 ayes.”

With committee approval, sponsors said they plan to floor manage the bill in the House.

Details from the committee hearing and the bill’s fiscal note were the primary source for this report; no final floor action was recorded during the committee meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee, January 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee approved House Bill 4 to raise snowmobile registration fees, create a $25 antique decal and direct revenues to trail grooming and related services; the committee approved the measure by roll call.","taxTitle","Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee, House of Representative, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming","taxId",61355,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6692285,"Tribal leaders tell committee online casino bill would harm tribal revenue and raise regulatory gaps",281,6118554,6400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170055-da17d4180a0893de1e6c0dd46b788997&start=6118&end=6400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170055-da17d4180a0893de1e6c0dd46b788997/thumbnail_6118554.jpg","/articles/6692285/Wyoming/Tribal-leaders-tell-committee-online-casino-bill-would-harm-tribal-revenue-and-raise-regulatory-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6692285-6530e964f0250710e8386676b4b460bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186771&Signature=Zkg6iiYE3193Ft9jWPWETDM8sBW50mGtuIKIuKaSw7ez2jjiL9H4e4gKNWbSM42dA3I~NUxLqeqdeCs4tCQoW4~z-nT4vlBD8x7BCz9DKxxUdpSMcmosQbCXYfBTqpA5tJpHndDpIwEVucD97fFzLy6ah7-d3mUJuho187aq9rIRA5b63LGecfXMzHySdmaAJ0MaIvhEkdusK~4ZX1y8FzqEEpMaD9RKJ73VLs2O0ffdJYVxPryWPlGc8d5tVFMw3HctZXKRfpysgQlRVE2euFbXQ70-jNq1Cm8qMprH02x0ARIlG1E3C6p5VT8DPxaEFGdNwT-hs8wlvrmfdujRMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Northern Arapaho and Shoshone tribal councils and counsel told the House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee they oppose House Bill 162, which would legalize interactive online casino gaming in Wyoming. Tribal representatives urged the committee to reject the bill or to substantially strengthen regulatory and public‑safety safeguards.

Rosenbro Smith (identified in testimony as representing the Northern Arapaho Business Council) said the tribe has operated casinos in Wyoming for nearly two decades under federal secretarial procedures and a compact with the Eastern Shoshone. He said the tribe depends on gaming revenue to fund tribal government programs and that statewide expansion of interactive gaming risks reducing tribal revenue and jobs: “Wyoming dollars need to stay in Wyoming,” he said, asking lawmakers to vote no on the bill.

Clinton Glick, a member of the Shoshone Business Council, said the bill would cut tribal revenues that support tribal services and resiliency programs.

Claire Johnson, attorney for the Northern Arapaho Tribe, listed regulatory gaps she said the bill raises: cybersecurity and geofencing (to prevent play on tribal lands), stronger anti‑money‑laundering (Title 31) enforcement, consistent and stringent licensing standards, measures to detect and block minors on gaming platforms, and policies to address problem gambling and the expanded 24/7 availability of online games. She also urged parity in tax rates across gaming formats.

Committee members agreed to continue work on this bill at a future meeting; the chair said the item would be taken up early next week so witnesses who had traveled could return. No final committee vote was taken during the session.

Testimony and documents provided to the committee were the basis for this report; the committee did not reach a final disposition on the bill during the hearing.","Representatives of the Northern Arapaho and Shoshone tribes told the House TRW committee they oppose House Bill 162 to authorize interactive online casino gaming, citing revenue loss to tribal casinos, anti‑money‑laundering and geofencing enforcement concerns and addiction risks; the committee deferred further action to a future meeting.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6692286,"Committee pauses bill to give cities formal role in simulcasting approvals after extended debate",3964,1934285,5899000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2170055-da17d4180a0893de1e6c0dd46b788997&start=1934&end=5899","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2170055-da17d4180a0893de1e6c0dd46b788997/thumbnail_1934285.jpg","/articles/6692286/Wyoming/Committee-pauses-bill-to-give-cities-formal-role-in-simulcasting-approvals-after-extended-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6692286-f619234a50663c4d3b55edb738e42be4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771186771&Signature=SIWjyXZUg8xXPl423jwgWc1I3keDc-PExgcXJHW~L03Pf6CcLKVBIVGNW7B5mRQ1tXQ3f4GDyDGZzuJea3fyPYaOnZs09e49FNHCHbnKRqWApqoXbj6LXnrXl4mwo3Mv2E4NejSXV1I0IEtdQC4LoxZiA0y-gq7HIFJGCRGVyH2jTAIy0V3me17IlvhKSrgroPv25Rte8W~py3G7qtZQfHuKPHwTaFho01~C0SuSjXqpL2GIrftDZI8s03CJsHZQQttjWDw4XUdgb4XZGsSXO1y9eNgXJJJj9hfGvthogfJZRSXpfACedUNrjXqvgzbw~GyAfd~yPXxpWGK2zhirCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee heard extended testimony on House Bill 85, a measure that would change how simulcasting permits and historic horse‑racing (HHR) machine locations are authorized and regulated in Wyoming. After several hours of testimony from county and municipal associations, the Wyoming Gaming Commission, track operators and a privately financed track that opposes parts of the bill, the chair laid the bill back for additional drafting and stakeholder meetings.

Nick Laramendi, executive director of the Wyoming Gaming Commission, told the committee the bill would make the governing body of a municipality the local approving authority for simulcasting permits inside city limits while counties would continue to approve locations outside municipalities. The bill would require applicants to file with local approving authorities, require local public notice (two consecutive weeks and a website posting), allow local authorities to impose “reasonable conditions” (including hours of operation and the number of machines) and create grounds for revocation for good cause if conditions are breached.

The legislation would also amend existing definitions to clarify what a “historic horse racing machine” is and remove a requirement that a simulcast steward supervise each off‑track location. Perhaps the most contested change described in the hearing would repeal a statutory “hundred‑mile” protection that restricts simulcasting within 100 miles of a permitted racetrack unless the track agrees; the repeal and its consequences drew sharp disagreements in testimony.

County commissioners and the Wyoming Association of Municipalities (WAM) urged the committee to adopt the bill’s changes or to refine them through amendment, saying local governing bodies need explicit authority and notice to manage impacts on municipal services. Jeremiah Reeman, representing the Wyoming County Commissioners Association, argued county commissions have faced uncertainty about their legal authority to impose conditions and to revoke approvals, citing a Wyoming Supreme Court decision (Campbell County Board of Commissioners v. Wyoming Horse Racing) that found the Gaming Commission retains broad regulatory authority after an initial county approval.

WAM Executive Director Ashley Harpster told the committee the measure adds a notification process and local input mechanisms and said municipalities are responsible for day‑to‑day services that could be affected as gaming facilities expand.

Operators and industry representatives — including Wyoming Downs, Wyoming Horse Racing LLC and other permittees — generally supported the bill and the committee’s amendment package that was circulating during the hearing. Several operators said the bill provides clarity and a predictable local process.

Representatives of Cowboy Racing and its counsel opposed parts of the bill, particularly the removal of the hundred‑mile protection and language they said could apply retroactively to applicants mid‑process. Ryan Clement, a principal with Cowboy Racing, said the company has invested millions to build a full‑size racetrack and that the historical hundred‑mile rule supports purses and the business model for live racing: “The 100‑mile rule… is an industry standard and supports the legislature’s intent for HHR machines to support live horse racing,” he said. Counsel for Cowboy Racing also asked for a right of appeal to district court for new applicants if a local authority denies a site‑specific approval; the draft before the committee gave appeal rights only in limited circumstances.

Committee members heard a long list of proposed technical amendments and were told stakeholders on all sides wanted more time to resolve complex issues — jurisdictional conflict, appeal rights, retroactivity and the role of local conditions. Chairman Byron said, without objection from the committee, he would lay House Bill 85 back to the committee’s next meeting to allow more negotiation and to invite the Gaming Commission staff back for further Q&A.

No final vote was taken during the hearing; the measure remains under committee consideration.","House Bill 85, which would change how simulcasting permits and historic horse‑racing machines are approved and give municipal governing bodies a formal approving role, received extensive testimony and was laid back for further work and amendments.","actionData","errors"]

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Panel approves higher snowmobile registration fees to shore up trail grooming funds

Tribal leaders tell committee online casino bill would harm tribal revenue and raise regulatory gaps

Committee pauses bill to give cities formal role in simulcasting approvals after extended debate