Developments at the Wyoming Legislature

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Developments at the Wyoming Legislature on Fri., Feb. 14, the fifth day of the 2014 Budget Session:

KINDERGARTEN - The Senate declined to introduce a bill that would have lowered the age of when children must enter kindergarten from 7 to 6.

COMMON CORE - Separate bills dealing with common core education standards failed to win introduction in the House. One bill would have required legislative review of education standards approved by the state Board of Education, and the other would have prohibited adoption of education standards that did not originate in Wyoming.

FUELS TAX - The House agreed to introduce a bill that would allow the state to create its own form that agriculture producers must fill out in order to receive a refund on fuels tax charged on gas for their farm equipment. Currently, the state relies on a federal form for such refund requests.

TECH SCHOLARSHIP - A bill that would have established a separate scholarship for college students specializing in career technical degrees failed introduction in the House.

HATHAWAY SCHOLARSHIP - The Senate approved two bills that would raise the Hathaway Scholarship awards by 5 percent and allow Hathaway money to pay for up to six hours of summer classes. Both bills head to the House.

EPIPENS - The House approved introduction of a bill that would allow local school boards to supply and administer epinephrine auto-injectors to students having an allergic reaction.

NEED FOR SPEED - A bill allowing an 80 mph speed limit along stretches of highway judged safe for the speed won introduction in the House.

SCHOOL GUNS - The House Education Committee on a 6-3 vote endorsed a bill giving local school boards the authority to allow teachers and other school staff who hold concealed-carry permits to carry guns or have a weapon stored in a lock box on campus if they get proper training.