Rep. Albert Sommers

Maddy summaryHB 165 requires Wyoming's Office of State Lands and Investments to study the feasibility of creating an access point permitting system for commercial fishing on state lands. The study, due by October 1, 2024, must examine costs, benefits to residents and land trust beneficiaries, existing access points, staffing needs, funding requirements, and successful models from other states and federal agencies. The office must report findings to the joint travel and recreation committee, which may then propose legislation based on the study's recommendations. This bill does not implement a permit system but mandates an analysis to inform future decisions affecting commercial fishing outfitters using state land access points.

Maddy summaryHB 175 allows Wyoming school districts to request fingerprint-based background checks for volunteers who regularly interact with or have unsupervised access to minors in K-12 schools. Previously, such checks applied only to school employees, but this bill extends the requirement to volunteers meeting these specific access criteria. School districts must cover all costs for the fingerprinting and background check process. The law takes effect July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 169 continues Wyoming's Mental Health and Vulnerable Adult Task Force through December 2024. The task force, composed of 3 House members, 3 Senate members, and agency directors (including health, family services, corrections, and education), must study state mental health services, remove interagency barriers, and develop programs addressing unmet needs like adolescent behavioral services and court diversion for mentally ill individuals. It requires a final report by October 1, 2024, and is funded with $55,000 from the general fund for legislative members' expenses. The bill directly affects vulnerable adults and mental health service recipients by mandating coordinated system improvements.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 63) creates a property tax exemption for single-family homes. It exempts homeowners from paying tax on any increase in their home's assessed value that exceeds 5% over the previous year's value. The exemption does not apply if the home was recently renovated, added to, or purchased within the last year. Tax assessment notices must now include details about this exemption and how it affects the homeowner's tax bill. The exemption applies starting with the 2024 tax year.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming joint resolution (HJ 5) expresses the state legislature's support for Israel following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. It condemns the attacks, mourns victims, and calls for Hamas to cease hostilities and release hostages, while urging the U.S. to lead efforts to cut Hamas funding and reaffirm support for Israel's security. The resolution includes six specific calls to action for the U.S. government and directs Wyoming's Secretary of State to send copies to U.S. officials and Wyoming's congressional delegation. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policies and has not yet been considered for introduction.

Maddy summaryHB 65 limits minimum training requirements for public officers handling government accounts to four hours annually, allowing completion via virtual formats on personal time. It removes the possibility of removal from office for failing to meet these training requirements within one year of taking office, though officers must still follow approved training guidelines. The bill applies directly to public officers (such as county clerks or treasurers) responsible for managing public funds, and requires the state auditor to establish rules for approved training courses. The changes take effect July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 213 creates a grant program to provide financial assistance to preschool providers serving economically disadvantaged and at-risk students in Wyoming. It establishes a $50 million endowment fund (funded by a July 1, 2024 transfer from the public school foundation account) and an expenditure account to distribute grants. Eligible providers (including school districts and nonprofit/private organizations) can apply for grants up to $50,000 annually to cover specific costs like teacher salaries, facility leases, parent training, and early childhood learning materials. Grants must be used solely for qualifying student services and require applications submitted by May 15 each year, with awards distributed by October 1.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 106 restricts hemp production and sales by banning the addition of synthetic substances or psychoactive additives to hemp products. It prohibits selling hemp containing more than 0.3% THC (measured via specific testing methods) or any synthetic THC, cannabinoids, or psychoactive analogs. The bill directly affects hemp producers, processors, and sellers in Wyoming, requiring compliance with these limits and mandating department inspections for enforcement. Violations may result in fines, license suspension, or revocation, with specific penalties for exceeding THC limits or using synthetic substances. The law also expands the definition of THC to include naturally occurring forms and psychoactive isomers under state controlled substances regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 191 clarifies how Wyoming will use unspent federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, specifically $389 million in unobligated "ARPD" funds. It directs state agencies to spend these funds on designated COVID-19 relief programs, including $10 million for workforce development, $22 million for outdoor recreation grants, $35 million for transportation communications systems, and $13 million for health department staffing. The bill sets conditions for spending, prohibits using funds for post-secondary education (except critical career programs), and requires reporting on how the money is used. These funds directly affect state agencies like Health, Transportation, and Parks, which will implement specific programs such as emergency staffing, rural healthcare innovation, and first-responder communication upgrades.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 114 reauthorizes a program that helps teachers in shortage areas repay student loans by teaching in specific subjects. It targets educators in special education, math, science, world languages, reading, or English as a second language who complete teacher training at the University of Wyoming. Participants can repay loans without cash by teaching at least 50% of their time in these subjects for two years after graduation. The bill appropriates $2 million (2024-2026) for the program, with 15% allocated for administration. Annual reports will track the program's impact on teacher shortages in targeted areas.