[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6675435,"mediaKeyId","3794853-44eaf4392a1eaa8226241fc26cad13d9","parentId",3794853,"title","Committee hears state legal background on eminent domain; energy pipeline and compensation questions raised","audioSeconds",285,"startMs",12257000,"endMs",12542000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3794853-44eaf4392a1eaa8226241fc26cad13d9&start=12257&end=12542","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3794853-44eaf4392a1eaa8226241fc26cad13d9/thumbnail_12257000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6675435/Wyoming/Committee-hears-state-legal-background-on-eminent-domain-energy-pipeline-and-compensation-questions-raised","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675435-eca186c9d6fcc641e82d182d8f887fd5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770909475&Signature=Bvq1gOQuRdiNb-Rl0UPzQ0dLLxgKKlfVANjrDYh99nqj~yVCCP30cExLJONER4~5O5K0ZTkdJPx4NMMlZo7t0dco1tMDueYGW73gH4XXxBH2GtqyJukrLwmNzM1Grh-Y5mTlAjB5elT6BXjkxR3XN6XdCn8f2tau6dUrxMXwV2IH7N3Oek~XDkEW74xBYIVaaKqTd5yhFVwkOcHBPHz~T0QsHPF8ZDl2Wh67Ujx8bUpyrol2KapZswAXUHAYjCDBSb2tkmxizcO1~3v2eBnkj8mrxPiN14o2o8FVo8NhPesGq65f7nH~0i0PlQBacHocl0YlPfn3Dxdp4~j0ARkd~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wyoming Legislature","date","2025-06-11T09:32:48.87Z","article","Cheyenne — Committee staff briefed members June 10 on the history and current contours of Wyoming's eminent domain law, and public commenters urged lawmakers to guard against private uses and to consider higher compensation when condemnations benefit private companies.

Anna Johnson of the Legislative Service Office reviewed historical authorities and statutory changes, summarizing the 1981 Wyoming Eminent Domain Act, the U.S. Supreme Court's 2005 Kelo decision (which expanded permissible public uses at the federal level), and 2008 state amendments that added good‑faith negotiation requirements, clarified public‑purpose definitions and allowed an owner to reacquire property if a condemnor does not put the land to use within a statutory period.

Johnson also told the committee the statute explicitly authorizes use of eminent domain for \"electric power transmission and distribution systems\" and summarized the 2015 expiration of a moratorium on using eminent domain for some wind energy collector systems. She noted the law authorizes pipelines for petroleum and other products, but said it is unsettled whether the present statute explicitly authorizes eminent-domain use for CO2 sequestration pipelines.

Public commenters urged caution. Jim McGavin of the Wyoming Stockgrowers Association said the \"key determining factor\" for any eminent-domain action should be whether there is a significant public benefit, and he suggested adding statutory remedies if condemnation occurs after a lowball voluntary offer: a surcharge or higher compensation to the landowner if the condemnor ultimately uses eminent domain.

Committee members asked about compensation standards and about limits on private takings. The briefing did not produce committee votes; members requested more information and public input to consider whether statutory adjustments are necessary for modern energy projects and for ensuring fair compensation to landowners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources, June 10, 2025-AM","oneSentenceSummary","LSO staff summarized Wyoming eminent domain history and recent statutory changes; public commenters urged a strict public‑benefit test and stronger compensation if private projects use condemnation authority.","taxTitle","Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming","taxId",61176,"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},6675440,"Irrigation districts urge fixes to prevent 'orphan' water rights; ask for signature block on plats",1163,8551000,9714000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3794853-44eaf4392a1eaa8226241fc26cad13d9&start=8551&end=9714","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3794853-44eaf4392a1eaa8226241fc26cad13d9/thumbnail_8551000.jpg","/articles/6675440/Wyoming/Irrigation-districts-urge-fixes-to-prevent-orphan-water-rights-ask-for-signature-block-on-plats","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675440-e72c1939c8b287726f83d1cbd592f7d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770909475&Signature=oDKhMMZLNMgm6H7dTPhj1i8U-ttZkSqZIIVcgyxEoC8cStnNFOAiTCuYeIs1LmjMbRbqT2E~GHGeq7jvZXUUL~t0~Qvu4BMvMaS6yC~a6lVUUX1AiLb8Ow4ttfJ6SyxjZe0PYagcYFWZHD~WHONbxCw-SH6KOiOgR7mQyx8Un1uq1g4uzN3CysT4z045p0PBXJVhUMG9GXbZ0-RLu0Y7o4lqj6AtNAERLcRZonBIyJbLh1zf0wpWpWSXTdExKaU2oUEY0SbUblcp44DUVGwClTFoGFbMg1R3gnNmwyEMqrweb~Sc0MzOaUgGmPVLEqt9PuvEoXgsGjZjwnJQ7x-S1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cheyenne — The Wyoming Association of Irrigation Districts told the Joint Agriculture Committee June 10 that gaps in county subdivision review and family-exemption transfers are creating risk for \"orphan\" water rights and asked the committee to consider statutory changes requiring irrigation-district involvement earlier in subdivision and exemption processes.

Keith Kenny introduced the topic on behalf of the association and said the group represents 19 irrigation districts across nine counties and roughly half a million irrigable acres. Steve Lynn, chairman of the association, told the committee that current Title 18 language (for example Wyo. Stat. § 18-5-306) allows a developer to make only a \"good faith effort\" to comply with irrigation-district recommendations and provides insufficient enforcement \"teeth.\" Lynn asked lawmakers to consider requiring a signature block on plats or irrigation plans showing district authorization or documented review.

Trent Reid and others described how family-exemption transfers and minor subdivisions can create information gaps: easements, buried drain tile locations and conveyance lines are not always mapped or shown on plats, and subsequent owners may not know how to access water. Reid said counties vary widely in practice and some county processes do not produce the plans or plats irrigation districts need to protect conveyances. \"If those underground drains aren't marked and somebody builds a house over that, all of a sudden that becomes a very big issue,\" he said.

State engineers and planning officials joined the discussion. David Schroeder, superintendent of Water Division 2 for the state engineer's office, noted that the 2022 Legislature strengthened statutory language requiring water-distribution plans in some municipal annexation settings and that counties can adopt forms for developers to document district contact. Schroeder said some counties (for example Sheridan County) already use a two‑form process where a subdivider must document notice to local water entities and then obtain any written approval the county requires.

Irrigation-district representatives told the committee they did not seek veto power over subdivision approvals; rather, they want consistent notification, the ability to provide engineering comments, and a short statutory response window so a non-response does not indefinitely hold up development. The association offered to work with Legislative Service Office staff on draft language.

Committee members asked the association to provide specific draft language and to identify counties where current practices create the greatest risk. The committee did not take formal action on the matter at the June 10 meeting; members asked LSO staff to coordinate draft options and follow up at a later meeting.","Representatives of the Wyoming Association of Irrigation Districts told the committee that gaps in county subdivision practice and statutory exemptions can lead to lost or orphaned irrigation rights and asked the Legislature to consider requiring irrigation-district signoff or a plan on plats and family-exemption transfers.",{"_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},6675445,"Joint Agriculture committee adopts house-form interim rules after debate over bicameral sponsorship",616,255000,871000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3794853-44eaf4392a1eaa8226241fc26cad13d9&start=255&end=871","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3794853-44eaf4392a1eaa8226241fc26cad13d9/thumbnail_255000.jpg","/articles/6675445/Wyoming/Joint-Agriculture-committee-adopts-house-form-interim-rules-after-debate-over-bicameral-sponsorship","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675445-0a4f0704daa333fa5e378866906f7286/orig.mp4?Expires=1770909475&Signature=hvqsTLI1zPAFOSUHzOAB6XwnIs6TANQUkrEBhB~~2cQN46dAku8iFd~XdKfjjuSq8PFj6YdnaWmY3wWFHC0~MUqSmCBm5o-pplE2JJA~YysUwDf1WEQJTWFUSiIbqSlTLzledeF0AncRZITPME1q8doSmesTmlFfA6WUKwSPD4aZQZ~xF791xHIzYMmyyFgpLMhSFJ6eCcbfzcpwx5qB96z5wf4QAkyuw~RecmHLcwZkNrfCWSVOxXoA2yIo8ByUSHFoBI3AjlZF1Bw99BX9OVHsCxrPFwpfwu~adrQHA11zCc7tiuxUsjAa8pVLik9oFzrHRgwMNZXU4ZWhK~08eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cheyenne — The joint Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee debated and adopted its interim rules June 10, choosing the house formulation that allows committee-sponsored legislation to proceed with a simple majority of committee members rather than requiring separate majorities in each chamber.

Anna Johnson, staff attorney for the Legislative Service Office, presented the sample interim committee rules and told members that the packet contained two options: one that requires a majority in both chambers to sponsor committee legislation and a second that allows committee action by a simple majority of the interim committee. Johnson summarized the rules and offered to answer questions.

Representative Provenza argued in favor of the senate version earlier in the discussion, saying that when committee bills have support from both chambers \"it's much more likely to get all the way through the process.\" Other members favored the house-style rule because it can allow additional time for amendment and further consideration if a bill divides the committee.

After debate the committee first approved a narrow amendment to use the title \"cochairman\" rather than \"chairman/vice chairman.\" The committee then took a counted hand vote to resolve which version of quorum and sponsorship rules to adopt. The motion to adopt the senate version (requiring a majority of both chambers) failed. A subsequent motion to accept the house rules (simple majority for the interim committee) passed by raised-hand voting.

The adopted rules will govern the committee for the 60th and 61st interim periods unless the committee moves to amend them in a future meeting.","Committee members debated whether interim committee-sponsored bills should require both a majority of senators and a majority of representatives. After discussion and a counted hand vote, the panel adopted the house version of interim rules (simple majority) for the coming interim period.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6675449,"Wyoming interim committee deadlocks on veterinary technician licensure bill",6792,952000,7744000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3794853-44eaf4392a1eaa8226241fc26cad13d9&start=952&end=7744","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3794853-44eaf4392a1eaa8226241fc26cad13d9/thumbnail_952000.jpg","/articles/6675449/Wyoming/Wyoming-interim-committee-deadlocks-on-veterinary-technician-licensure-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675449-6874b7ac80ca55e5fd371ca56b3b629b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770909475&Signature=HvqteOeaEqEKe5iyduQCl3INP-TOW0F7smabmeYJGNQlfAMWLfAlMMxgXEi3lPVlbg-tl8kKtKgCLhBEspQZcwKCEkYAuSal-1C0CQajMI0evMPpdwRAvN3GGR2eKIwbBn08hy~5HfhWcYQshuMg9EgPuHgBns7xsckGgAgbcouO-Dk0uuPwqcaRijWSXAN7NsusQ1eGA-RTFEuR1bugPOs3r4MfCo7YHSxWKQtSkzBo530J6bYajayAUrqfUddcugQe0Nf57D4Dr11-0HYgoaFV4gv~wWwPsY2CQoM6YpTIjFE~FrxQqZuy7nfRJWej09mdWcrultJ~0ESn9fumng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cheyenne — The Joint Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee heard extensive testimony June 10 on a draft bill (26 LSO 17) that would create a state licensing system for veterinary technicians but voted 7-7 on a motion to move the bill forward, leaving the draft without committee sponsorship.

The draft, described by Anna Johnson of the Legislative Service Office, would create a license and temporary-permit system and add a veterinary technician seat to the Board of Veterinary Medicine. Johnson told the committee the bill \"provides for licensure of vet techs of the state under certain circumstances\" and outlines application requirements, continuing education, fees and disciplinary processes.

Supporters — including practicing and credentialed veterinary technicians, representatives of the Wyoming Veterinary Technician Association and veterinarians — told the committee the measure would recognize trained technicians, improve clinic efficiency and help retain staff in Wyoming. Kelly Ferguson, a certified veterinary technician in Casper and treasurer of the Wyoming Veterinary Technician Association, said Wyoming is \"one of very, very few states who do not have title protection for veterinary technicians.\" Troy Moline of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation and Dr. Tecla Webb of the Wyoming Livestock Board also testified in favor, saying recognition could improve rural veterinary capacity.

Opponents and skeptical lawmakers raised concerns about occupational licensing, cost to consumers and whether licensing would actually increase the number of technicians in rural areas. Senator Eyde, who spoke against broad occupational licensing, said such rules \"create more bureaucracy\" and may raise consumer costs.

The bill draft includes three pathways to licensure: (1) education (graduation from an AVMA-accredited program plus passing the national exam), (2) experience with a grandfathering pathway that requires 10,000 or 20,000 hours of supervised work and (3) reciprocity from other states. The draft contains a sunset for temporary permits and grandfathering provisions through June 30, 2029. Johnson summarized: vet techs \"are only authorized to practice if they're licensed or obtain a valid temporary permit. To be licensed, a vet tech must submit an application to the Board of Veterinary Medicine, submit 1 letter of recommendation from a supervising vet, submit letters of good standing from all jurisdictions where the vet tech is licensed, complete a background check, and complete 1 of the following.\" (Johnson's full summary was provided to the committee.)

Technicians described practical impacts: Tayah Collins, a credentialed technician and president of the Wyoming Veterinary Technician Association, said her Riverton mixed-animal clinic has lost technicians in recent years and that title protection \"would motivate those aspiring to be in veterinary medicine to achieve higher standards and recognition.\" Veterinarians who testified — including Dr. Caitlin Blackburn and Dr. Tiffany Haley of the Wyoming Veterinary Medical Association — said licensure is voluntary for clinics and gives employers and consumers a clear baseline of education and accountability.

After public comment from multiple industry groups, the committee took a motion to \"move the bill\" but the roll-call sponsorship vote ended tied, 7-7, so the motion failed and the draft was not advanced.

What the bill would do and next steps: The draft would (among other provisions) add a vet-tech position to the Board of Veterinary Medicine, authorize the board to adopt rules and fees, allow fingerprinting for background checks, and add criminal penalties for practicing without a license or temporary permit. Committee members asked proponents to gather more consumer-facing information (opinion data from owners) and to refine grandfathering language; supporters said they would follow up. With the tie vote, committee action stops unless a sponsor reintroduces or a future meeting reconsiders the draft.","After hours of testimony from technicians, veterinarians and industry groups, the joint Agriculture committee failed to advance a draft to license veterinary technicians, resulting in a 7-7 tie on a motion to move the bill forward.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears state legal background on eminent domain; energy pipeline and compensation questions raised

Irrigation districts urge fixes to prevent 'orphan' water rights; ask for signature block on plats

Joint Agriculture committee adopts house-form interim rules after debate over bicameral sponsorship

Wyoming interim committee deadlocks on veterinary technician licensure bill