Lawmakers look at legal tender and passing bills into law

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - In the Thursday Committee meeting, lawmakers looked into backing state funds not just with U.S. dollars but with gold, and qualifying this potential state tender to its highest value if lawmakers sign on.

”We sent the signal in 1819 with the legal tender act, but I think it sends a signal we’re open for business in this space much like we have with blockchain as well and cryptocurrency, said Rep. Steve Harshman, Chair of House Revenue Committee and H.D. 37.

The Wyoming Legal Tender Act amendments bill would require the State Treasurer to pay for mineral taxes by a specific legal tender.

Providing exchange rates for fiat and other legal currencies requiring the state treasurer to hold and invest in legal tender.

This bill could mean bringing new businesses to the state, making the economic climate more secure and solidifying currencies and assets within the state.

Next, the Under-Aged Marriage Bill heads to the Governor’s desk Thursday.

This makes Wyoming’s minimum age of marriage 18 or 16 with parental or judicial consent.

Wyoming is no longer 1 of 8 states without a minimum age for marriage.

”I am excited it makes a statement that Wyoming is not open to childhood sex trafficking and we dont have some of the situations of 14 or 15 year olds getting married that we’ve seen in the past decade. I think this allows parental involvement and the judge signs off on it, we still have that freedom here in Wyoming,” said Rep. Dan Zwontitzer, Chair of the House Labor Health and Social Services Committee, H.D. 43.

Besides the under-aged marriage bill, the Governor signed seven new bills Thursday. They included the 988 suicide prevention bill, the Purple Star School bill and the Licensed Professional Counselor Compact.

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