Tuesday At The Wyo. Legislature

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Events on the 17th day of the Budget Session of the Wyoming Legislature, Tues., March 6, 2012:

REDISTRICTING: Gov. Matt Mead signed into law the bill that redraws legislative district boundaries for the state.

PAVILLION WATER: Gov. Mead signed into law a bill that includes $750,000 in state spending to help address water quality issues for residents of Pavillion. The federal government has investigated whether hydraulic fracturing, a technique used in energy production, has contributed to what residents say are water quality problems in the area.

EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY: The House approved a Senate bill aimed at making sure Wyoming students are better prepared for college and careers. The bill now goes back to the Senate for consideration of House changes.

PUBLIC RETIREMENT: The House gave final approval to a Senate bill that would limit retirement benefits for future state employees.

CONTRACTPION: The Senate for the second time passed a House resolution that calls on the federal government to overturn a recent Obama administration mandate requiring birth control coverage for employees of religious-affiliated hospitals, schools and other programs.

ARCTIC DRILLING: The Senate for the second time approved a measure calling on the federal government to allow energy drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

SPEED LIMITS:The Senate gave its final approval to a House bill that would allow motorists on certain two-lane highways to exceed the speed limit while passing vehicles traveling under the speed limit.

MARTIAL ARTS: The House concurred with Senate amendments to a bill that would establish state board to oversee of mixed martial arts.