HB 194 requires Wyoming Medicaid to cover air ambulance transport services for all residents, addressing the high costs (up to $75,000) that often cause financial hardship. It mandates a capped copay (up to 20% of costs for non-Medicaid-eligible residents) and creates an "air ambulance coverage account" funded by insurer assessments. The bill also requires state agencies to cover air ambulance services through Medicaid, with claims processed retroactively within 90 days. This policy directly affects Wyoming residents needing emergency air transport and aims to prevent bankruptcy from unaffordable medical bills.
Wyoming's HB 99 designates the fourth Saturday in September each year as "Public Lands Day" to recognize the importance of public lands for the state's economy, open spaces, wildlife, and recreation. The bill requires the governor to issue a proclamation by September 1 each year encouraging public and school observances, though it does not mandate school closures or affect business operations. Public schools may hold appropriate events, but the designation has no impact on commercial agreements, court proceedings, or government office hours. This is a ceremonial observance with no new regulations or funding, effective July 1, 2019.
HB 199 allows Wyoming school districts to enter direct agreements for virtual instruction without state regulation. It permits one district to hire a teacher from another district to teach students remotely, provided the agreement specifies compensation, requires the teacher to be employed by the teaching district, and ensures courses align with state academic standards. This bill exempts these specific agreements from standard virtual education oversight rules. It directly affects school districts seeking cross-district virtual learning partnerships and became effective July 1, 2019.
Wyoming's HB 171 legalizes hemp production and processing by setting a 0.3% THC limit (on a dry weight basis) for hemp and hemp products. It requires licenses for producers and processors (with background checks and $500 annual fees), while allowing unrestricted possession and use of hemp products by all residents. The bill establishes enforcement through annual inspections, corrective action plans for violations, and misdemeanor penalties for intentional breaches. It also mandates a state regulatory plan, authorizes tribal agreements, and repeals conflicting laws.
HB 125 increases filing fees for probate cases in Wyoming district courts from $50 to $75 and for civil cases from $85 to $110. It specifies that $25 of the civil filing fee funds court automation and $10 supports indigent civil legal services, with the remaining amounts covering court operations. This bill directly affects individuals and organizations filing probate or civil cases in Wyoming district courts. The fee changes took effect on July 1, 2019.
HB 297 requires Wyoming school districts to implement a reading screening program for all kindergarten through third-grade students, including early checks for dyslexia and other reading difficulties. It mandates annual reporting on student progress toward an 85% goal for third graders reading at grade level, with schools failing to meet this target required to submit improvement plans addressing staffing ratios and evidence-based interventions. The law also directs the state superintendent to create supporting rules and provide direct assistance to schools developing these plans. This bill directly affects K-3 students, school districts, and educators by establishing standardized assessment, intervention, and accountability measures for early literacy.
HB 180 modifies Wyoming's mixed martial arts (MMA) regulation by updating bond requirements and inspector duties. It requires promoters to submit a verified, good-faith estimate of match expenses (based on similar venues) to secure a bond, replacing the prior $10,000 cap. The bill also clarifies that inspectors and deputy inspectors must verify rule compliance at all profit-based matches, report ticket sales and proceeds to the board, and may be compensated from fees in the MMA board account. These changes directly affect MMA promoters, clubs, and organizations seeking licenses, as well as county-appointed inspectors. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.
HB 212 allows microbreweries and wineries in Wyoming to hold both their existing permits and a manufacturer's license simultaneously. This changes existing rules by removing restrictions that previously prevented these small producers from owning both license types, specifically exempting them from Section 12-5-401's ownership rules. The bill directly affects microbrewery and winery owners who wish to expand production or retail operations under a single business structure, effective July 1, 2019.
HB 82 creates a Wyoming veterans' skilled nursing facility to provide care for honorably discharged veterans, National Guard members disabled on duty, and their spouses, with these groups receiving admission preference. It also allows admission for "gold star" families (dependents of service members who died in action) under specific conditions. The bill establishes a special revenue account to accept federal funding, donations, and loans for the facility’s design, construction, and operation, while requiring compliance with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs rules and payment rates aligned with VA grant-in-aid standards. All operations must follow federal and state regulations for skilled nursing care.
HB 243 changes Wyoming driver's license expiration rules by extending the validity period from four to five years. Specifically, licenses now expire on the holder's birthday in the fifth year after issuance (previously the fourth year), and drivers may receive a five-year renewal extension without a test (previously listed as a choice between four or five years) if their license hasn't been suspended in the past five years. These changes apply to licenses issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2019, affecting all Wyoming drivers with new or renewed licenses after that date.
HB 29 requires Wyoming life insurance companies and annuity providers to check their records against a death master file (like the Social Security Death Master File) at least twice yearly to identify deceased policyholders. Insurers must then confirm deaths using other records, determine if benefits are due, and make good-faith efforts to locate beneficiaries - without charging fees - for claims processing. If beneficiaries cannot be found, the benefits (including accrued interest) become unclaimed property and are transferred to the state under Wyoming's Unclaimed Property Act. The bill excludes certain group policies, such as those under federal employee benefit plans or ERISA-covered plans.
This bill amends Wyoming's state audit standards to require state agencies to follow federal "Generally Accepted Governmental Auditing Standards" (set by the U.S. Comptroller General) for audits, subject to approval by the management audit committee and council. It directly affects state agencies conducting audits by mandating adherence to these specific federal standards. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on standardizing the audit process without creating new programs or affecting citizens or businesses. It became effective July 1, 2019.
