A Laramie hearing on Oct. 31, 2023, produced committee approval for 24 LSO 0127, a bill updating statutory requirements for records and retention related to hides and pelts bought by hide buyers and processed at meat plants.

The LSO staff summary presented by the committee counsel described the measure as adding a new subsection requiring that a bill of sale accompany a hide when it is sold to a hide buyer and that hide buyers maintain a true record of all hides and pelts purchased for at least two years. The draft also repealed older statutes whose language the bill replaces.

The Wyoming Livestock Board staff (Director True) told the committee the board does not object and confirmed the agency can implement the changes; the agency indicated the measure is not a revenue source for the board and said existing enforcement authorities (including larceny statutes) remain available for illegal slaughter or theft investigations.

Committee action: The committee adopted an amendment making the bill effective immediately upon passage and then approved the measure on a roll-call committee vote (committee recorded 14 ayes, 1 excused at the time of the roll call). The committee will sponsor the bill.

Ending: Committee members heard no public opposition and no substantive technical issues from the Livestock Board; the measure will move forward in the legislative process with committee sponsorship.