Wyoming driver vision testing rules to change as Gordon signs bill into law By Brendan LaChance on April 5, 2021
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CASPER, Wyo. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has signed House Bill 20 into law, a bill that will modify driver vision testing rules in the state effective July 1, 2021.
The bill will allow the Department of Motor Vehicles to establish vision testing rules through their own rule-making process for people to demonstrate visual acuity rather than being limited to vision testing or results from an eye doctor as set in current statute
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“Currently, as you know, you sit in front of a vision box when you are getting or renewing your driver’s license or you can present current results from your eye doctor,” Obermueller told the House.
Normally delivered to a full floor of legislators and onlookers, the 2021 State of the State Address was a scaled down affair featuring masks, social distancing and a sparse crowd. Gov. Mark Gordon spoke from the Historic Supreme Court Chamber. (Mike Vanata/WyoFile)
Gov. Mark Gordon delivered his third-ever State of the State Address to the Wyoming Legislature on Tuesday, cutting trail for the body as it sets to work navigating the state through one of the worst fiscal crises of its history.
In the hour-long speech, Gordon urged lawmakers to set aside politics for the common good of the state. He outlined several legislative priorities, applauded his staff and the people of Wyoming for their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and railed against the early actions of President Joe Biden’s administration as it seeks a path away from the fossil fuels that have long powered Wyoming’s economy.
Credit Bob Beck
A Wyoming legislative committee continues to work on a bill that would reduce spending on K-12 education.
The House education committee continues to reduce the proposed cut of $100 million. After several amendments, the proposed cut is down to roughly $22 million.
The majority of the committee also committed to trying to find tax revenue to make up the $300 million shortfall in education revenue. Casper Rep. Jerry Obermueller tried to amend the bill in favor of no cuts.
He noted that during a recent hearing, nobody testified in favor of education cuts and he said the focus should be on finding revenue to pay for education. He also noted that the legislature is still putting money into reserve accounts.
By Brendan LaChance on March 1, 2021
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CASPER, Wyo. The Wyoming Legislature is working to modify visual requirements for someone to obtain a driver’s license.
Rep. Jerry Obermueller (Natrona County) said during the House of Representatives Monday, March 1 floor session that the need to modify rules for vision testing “became apparent during this COVID era.”
“Currently, as you know, you sit in front of a vision box when you are getting or renewing your driver’s license or you can present current results from your eye doctor,” Obermueller told the House.
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Obermueller explained that the in-person requirements for people to demonstrate visual acuity during the COVID pandemic “was problematic and caused delays and in some cases more than just an inconvenience.”
Wyoming looking to hike fees, divert highway funds to pay for ~$80M vehicle record system By Brendan LaChance on February 25, 2021
(File Photo; Trevor T. Trujillo, Oil City News)
CASPER, Wyo. The Wyoming Legislature is working to find a way to pay for a new transportation information record system. The estimated cost of the new system keeps ballooning.
The state’s current Revenue Information System (RIS) provides “services to our citizens related to driver licenses, driving records and vehicle registration” and relies on “antiquated” COBOL technology developed in the 1980s, according to the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
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The system is used by law enforcement agencies across the state as well as county clerks and treasurers offices in all 23 counties. WYDOT says that several federal agencies and third-party vendors also contract to use the system.