Wyoming LAP Book - 2001-2002 Legislation

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2001-02 LAP* Book

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SJ 7: Special Legislative Sessions
2001 General Session Sponsor: Sen. Tom Kinnison (R-S21, Sheridan); co-sponsors Sens. Rich Cathcart (D-S6, Carpenter), Hank Coe (R-S18, Cody), Mark Harris (D-S14, Green River), Bruce Hinchey (R-S27, Casper), Rae Lynn Job (D-S12, Rock Springs), April Brimmer Kunz (R-S4, Cheyenne), Grant Larson (R-S17, Jackson), John Schiffer (R-S22, Kaycee) and Reps. Chris Boswell (D-H39, Green River), Bruce Burns (R-H51, Sheridan), Jerry Iekel (R-H29, Sheridan), Jack Landon (R-H30, Sheridan), Mac M,Graw (D-H41, Cheyenne), Tony Ross (R-H7, Cheyenne)

      The Wyoming Constitution currently provides that the Governor may call the Wyoming Legislature into special session.
      SJ 7 proposed allowing the Legislature to:

      (1) call itself into special session upon a written request to the presiding officer of each house of the legislature by a majority of the elected members of each house; and

      (2) convene a special session upon the call of the legislative leadership if necessary to resolve a challenge or a dispute in the determination of the state's presidential electors.

      Under either circumstance, the special session shall not last longer than 20 working days.
      Along with SJ 2 and SJ 3, SJ 7 manifested efforts by the Legislature to strengthen its power vis-a-vis- the executive branch.
      SJ 7 will appear on the November 2002 general election ballot as Constitutional Amendments A and B, as follows:

Constitutional Amendment A The adoption of the amendment to Article 3, Section 7(a)(i) would allow a majority of the elected members of each house to convene a special legislative session. The governor's power to call a special legislative session is not affected by these amendments.

Constitutional Amendment B       The amendment to Article 3, Section 7(a)(ii) would allow the legislative leaders of each house to call a special session to resolve a dispute or challenge to determine the presidential electors. The governor's power to call a special legislative session is not affected by these amendments.

      SJ 7 passed the Senate, 25-5, and the House, 57-1 (two excused).
      Dissenting votes were: Sens. Keith Goodenough (D-S28, Casper), Charles Scott (R-S30, Casper), Jayne Mockler (D-S8, Cheyenne), Tex Boggs (D-S13, Rock Springs), Ken Decaria (D-S15, Evanston) and Rep. Dick Sadler (D-H59, Casper).
      Reps. Jane Wostenberg (R-H27, Worland) and Marlene Simons (R-H1, Beulah) were excused.

      During the 2002 special/budget session, Sen. Keith Goodenough (D-S28, Casper) sponsored SJ 6, a resolution to repeal SJ 7. SJ 6 failed introduction, 8-22.