January 18, 2023 |
A bill to phase out the sales of electric cars in the state over the next decade was introduced on Friday in the Wyoming Senate.
Bucking a trend started in California and New York to ban gas-powered cars, the legislation introduced Friday would ban the sale of new electric cars by 2035.
Senator Jim Anderson of Natrona County sponsored by the resolution. Representative Don Burkhart of Rawlins is a co-sponsor.
SJ0004 is a bill “expressing support for phasing out the sale of new electric vehicles in Wyoming by 2035.” It notes that “oil and gas production has long been one of Wyoming’s proud and valued industries.”
The legislation states that Wyoming’s vast stretches of highway coupled with the lack of vehicle charging stations makes the widespread use of electric vehicles impractical. The lawmakers also note that the batteries for EVs require critical minerals whose “domestic supply is limited and at risk for disruption.”
EV’s are hardly green or earth friendly, either. The resolution makes note that the large, heavy batteries needed for electric cars and trucks are not easily recyclable or disposable, meaning that municipal landfills in Wyoming will be required to develop practices to dispose of the minerals in a safe and responsible manner.
Because of the thousands of people employed in the oil and gas industry, the legislation says that moving to EVs would have “deleterious impacts on Wyoming’s communities” and would be detrimental to the state’s economy.
It also encourages Wyoming residents to avoid purchasing an EV during the phase out period.
Also on Friday, the Senate passed on first reading an amendment that places a cap of 30-cents on the highest priced cigars sold to smokers in the state.
Under state law now cigars, unlike cigarettes, are taxed at the wholesale level, not at the point of sale. Senate File 42 would place the tax burden on smokers but prevent the tax from exceeding $0.30 for any cigar, not matter the retail cost.
The Senate Revenue committee sent the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.
Senator Stephan Pappas of Laramie County said any cigar retailing for $1.50 or more would carry a 30-cent tax. He explained the intent and acknowledged it will result in less state revenue.
Pappas said the flat tax would provide uniformity since it would be a per-unit tax, similar to cigarettes, rather than a tax on quality.
Some lawmakers opposed the bill saying tobacco products should be taxed onerously because of perceived health risks. Senator Anthony Bouchard took the opposite approach and said the state tax should be eliminated altogether, noting that the federal government levies a 52 percent excise tax on cigars.
Senator Larry Hicks said he supports the intent of the bill, but was a no vote on the principal that revenue bills—even ones that reduce state revenues—belong in the House not the Senate.
In the end, the vote was close on first reading — 15 “yes” and 14 “no.” Yesterday, Senate File 42 passed third reading by a much wider margin — 26-5 and was sent to the House for introduction in the lower chamber.
The fiscal note reports that the bill could cost the state about $181,000 a year in revenue if sales pricey cigars remain at current levels.
