Committee advances Senate File 68 to exempt state-owned lands, fund task force

The Wyoming Senate Appropriations Committee on Oct. 28 reported Senate File 68 do pass after testimony that the bill would exempt lands owned by the state from taxation for a two-year period and would fund a task force to study government exemptions.

Commerce County Assessor Dixie Huxtable told the committee she interpreted the bill to exempt "all lands owned by the state of Wyoming no matter what the use," and said assessors support the idea of a task force to study government exemptions.

"This bill would create an exemption for all land, all lands owned by the state of Wyoming no matter what the use, as I interpret the wording," Huxtable said. She added that assessors favor uniformity and consistency and that they "would certainly support that task force moving forward."

Jim McGavin of the Wyoming Stockgrowers Association testified in support of the appropriation for the task force, saying a recent Supreme Court decision has serious implications for the agricultural community and that a task force is an appropriate way to address the issue.

After public testimony the committee moved the bill, a second was taken and a roll-call vote was recorded: Senators Driscoll, Giroux, Larson, Smith and Chairman Salazar voted aye. The clerk announced, "5 ayes do pass."

The committee then proceeded to the next agenda item.