Lawmakers Negotiate Differences On Tip Pools

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming lawmakers have passed a bill making changes to the state's tipping laws but they must settle their differences about a last-minute change made in the state Senate.

Currently, tips are the sole property of employees but Rep. Ruth Ann Petroff of Jackson has proposed allowing restaurants to come up with a system for pooling and distributing tips.

The Associated Press reports that Republican Sen. Curt Meir was able to change the bill Wednesday to say that pooling would only be allowed once employees reach the minimum wage for "non-tipped employees". That's about $5 more than the minimum wage for tipped workers.

The House rejected the change.

Representatives of the House and Senate are expected to negotiate changes to the bill next week.