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Hello Sublette County and LaBarge, this is Albert Sommers reporting to you from Cheyenne on February 28, the thirteenth day of the 2024 Budget Session.

Today, we continued the debate regarding SF09. The bill addresses procedures for school districts to communicate with parents and guardians about their children's information. Specifically, the bill requires schools to inform parents about available health services. It permits them to decline specific services while mandating compliance with reporting abuse or neglect. This legislation aims to strike a balance between parental rights and the responsibilities of teachers and school staff. We expect ongoing discussion on Third Reading. I support this bill, because I believe it has struck the balance between protecting the child and protecting the rights of parents.

SF60 advanced to Second Reading, focusing on large project funding for the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Fund. These funds support wildlife habitat improvement projects like the Upper Greybull Fish Passage, aimed at removing barriers to fish passage and enhancing irrigation. This funding plays a crucial role in securing additional grants and matching funds for such projects, which are vital for environmental conservation. The projects that are funded through the Trust Fund are good for agriculture, good for wildlife and good for Wyoming.

SF30, which clarifies that judges are also covered under the offense of influencing and intimidation, passed the House today, with my support. Upholding the independence and integrity of our judicial system is important, and the bill imposes a felony penalty, including imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to five thousand dollars, for such actions. The debate hinged on what was the appropriate maximum imprisonment for intimidation versus actual acts of violence. This bill started with a ten-year felony, shifted to a two-year felony, and then settled on a five-year felony.

SF45 empowers vulnerable adults, their families, or agents to take legal action against individuals who exploit them. This bill allows for the recovery of damages and reasonable attorney's fees, providing essential legal recourse for vulnerable adults. I fully support this bill as it progresses to Second Reading. This is a bill I worked on in the interim as a participant in the Mental Health and Vulnerable Adult Taskforce. A vulnerable adult is someone over 18 years of age who is unable to manage and take care of himself or his money, assets or property without assistance as a result of advanced age or physical or mental disability.

Tomorrow, we will continue to work on bills from the Senate, and conduct conference committees on bills when the House and Senate need to find common ground between the two positions. The Budget Bill is in a conference committee right now. As Speaker of the House, I appoint the House members to conference committees that work out the differences between the two chambers. I can be reached atalbert@albertsommers.com with questions or comments.