WyoRINO
House Vote Descriptions 2020
1. HB 1 General Government Appropriations. Amendment 2048. During consideration of the House Budget Bill for 2020, amendment 2048 was proposed by Representative Chuck Gray. It disallows any general fund appropriations provided to the University of Wyoming group health insurance program to be used for student elective abortions. It passed in the House 37-23 (and passed in SF 1, mirror Amendment 3020) and became law. We have assigned a plus to the ayes because this bill supports Wyoming Republican Party Platform/Plank #1 and Resolution, Health and Society #3 which defends all individuals’ right to life from the moment of conception until the moment of natural death. (https://wyoleg.gov/2020/Amends/HB0001H2048.pdf)
2. HJ 5 Rescission of Federal Constitutional Resolutions. This bill would have rescinded a previous resolution adopted by the Wyoming legislature that requested the Congress of the United States to convene a Constitutional Convention under Article V of the Constitution of the United States. It failed introduction in the House by a vote of 13-47. We have assigned a plus to the ayes because this bill supports WRP: Resolution, Government #7 that warns of the great dangers in opening the U. S. Constitution to sweeping changes and calls for the rescission to call an Article V Constitutional Convention. (https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2020/HJ0005)
3. SF 20 Election Code Revisions. The Election Code Revision bill proposed revised voter registration requirements plus other amendments, including the removal of requiring proof of identification for mail-in registrants. Even though an amendment was offered to add voter identification into the bill, the amendment was defeated. It passed in the House 45-14-1, passed in the Senate 26-4 and was signed into law. We have assigned a plus to the nays because the bill opposes WRP Resolution, Government #12 which calls for proof of identity to be produced prior to casting a vote in elections. (https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2020/SF0020)
4. HB 25 County Reserve Accounts. This bill is related to local sales and use taxes. Currently Wyoming’s 5th cent sales tax can be used for projects local government chooses but the 6th cent must be special projects that are voted on by residents. However, HB 25 allows the 6th cent to not be restricted in its use. This will disincentivize using the 5th cent sales tax for savings and will encourage more attempts to expand taxation. It passed in the House by 48-10-2, passed the Senate by 18-11-1 and was signed into law. We have assigned a plus to the nays because this bill opposes WRP: Platform/Plank #13 which states that taxes should never be more than necessary and WRP Resolution. Government (passed 11/16/19) which opposes an expansion of sales taxes. (https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2020/HB0025)
5. HB 47 Local Sales and Use Tax. In effect making the fifth penny tax a permanent tax, this bill authorized an election to permanently impose a portion of the local sales and use tax. It passed in the House 42-16-2, passed the Senate 16-14, and signed into law. We have assigned a plus to the nays because it violates Wyoming Republican Party Resolution: Government, which was passed 1/12/19, against tax increases. (https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2020/HB0047)
6. HB 63 Fuel Tax. This bill aimed to increase government revenue through increased taxation of various fuels. It failed introduction in the House 30-30. We have assigned a plus to the nays because this bill violates WRP Resolution: Government (passed 1/12/19) which calls for fiscal conservatism and against tax increases. (https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2020/HB0063)
7. HB75 Medicaid Expansion. Far beyond the original intent of the program designed to help the disabled and poor women and their children, this bill would have expanded Medicaid in Wyoming to able-bodied, working adults. It failed introduction to the House with a vote of 20-39-1. We have assigned a plus to the nays because this bill directly violates WRP Platform #13 as the Medicaid program goes beyond the U.S. Constitution’s few and defined powers. (https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2020/HB0075)
8. HB 108 Ban on Sanctuary Cities and Counties. This bill would have prohibited immigration sanctuary policies by cities, towns and counties in Wyoming. It failed introduction in the House by a vote of 36-24 (needing a 2/3 majority for introduction). We have assigned a plus to the ayes because this bill is supported by WRP: Immigration #9 which rejects designation of sanctuary municipalities in Wyoming. (https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2020/HB0108)
9. HB 134 WY Tourism Account Funding. Borne by Wyoming residents and out-of-state tourists alike, this bill imposes a new statewide tax on sales of lodging services and is a vehicle to increase state revenue. HB 134 can increase hotel taxes to as high as 13%. It passed the House 39-19-2, passed the Senate 16-13-1 and was signed into law. A Senate amendment was offered to the bill that would have exempted Wyoming residents from the lodging tax; however, numerous senators voted to keep the taxation upon our residents. We have assigned a plus to the nays because this bill violates WRP Platform/Plank #7 as it interferes in the free market system and causes an increase in state government growth and fiscal irresponsibility; it violates WRP Platform/Plank #13, that all taxes collected must be used for the constitutional purposes of government – not to promote special interest groups such as the tourism industry; and it violates WRP Resolution: Government (passed 1/12/19) against tax increases. (https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2020/HB0134)
10. HB 234 Gaming Regulation. This bill is designed to establish a gaming commission, create regulation of certain types of games and creates more taxation. It would create another governmental layer to further increase control over its citizens’ liberty. This bill passed the House introductory vote by 44-13-3 but was not considered by the House Committee of the Whole. We have assigned a plus to the nays because this bill violates WRP Government: Resolution to Stop Licensing of Vendors of Gambling (passed 11/16/19) which opposes legislation that would create a gaming commission. (https://wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2020/HB0234)