Rep. Lane Allred

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 summaryHB 186 appropriates $40 million from Wyoming's general fund to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline system trust fund, as specified in existing law (W.S. 35-25-506). The funding directly supports Wyoming's 988 suicide prevention hotline operations and is restricted to that purpose. The bill takes effect July 1, 2024, and does not create new policy but provides dedicated financial resources for the existing crisis hotline service.

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 summaryHB 99 prohibits Wyoming state agencies and recipients of state funds from using public money to purchase products or services made with child labor or slave labor. The bill defines "child labor" as work by anyone under 18 violating U.S. or state labor laws (including foreign labor that would violate U.S. law) and "slave labor" as forced work under threat of penalty. Exceptions include juvenile justice programs, correctional industry programs, and specific statutes. The state budget department must create implementing rules, with the law taking effect July 1, 2024, for most provisions.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 218 amends vehicle code to increase the maximum length for semitrailers in certain truck combinations. Specifically, it raises the allowable semitrailer length from 48 feet to 53 feet in truck-tractor-semitrailer setups while keeping the combined length limit at 81 feet. This change directly affects commercial trucking operations that use standard semitrailer combinations on Wyoming highways. The bill takes effect July 1, 2024, allowing longer trailers for improved cargo efficiency without altering overall vehicle length restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 132 bans public school teachers, administrators, and state employees from teaching or using public funds for instruction on specific concepts related to race, ethnicity, sex, or national origin. It prohibits lessons that claim any group is inherently superior/inferior, blame individuals for past actions of their group, or label people as inherently racist or oppressive - except when teaching historical oppression or using approved primary sources. The bill allows private lawsuits against violators and imposes civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation for schools or state agencies. It also prohibits public employers from requiring training on these concepts and exempts sexual harassment training. The law directly affects K-12 educators, school districts, and state agencies using public funds for instruction or employee training.

Maddy summaryHB 183 prohibits foreign governments, businesses, or individuals (defined as citizens of Russia, China, state sponsors of terrorism, or countries under specific arms regulations) from owning most land in Wyoming, allowing only personal residences under one acre. It requires existing foreign owners to sell their land by July 2026 (unless for a qualifying personal residence) and mandates annual registration with the Secretary of State for all foreign land ownership, including personal residences. Owners who fail to register face daily civil penalties of $5,000, and county clerks must report violations to the Attorney General for enforcement, which may include court-ordered forfeiture and sale of the land. The bill also requires tax assessment notices to inform owners about the foreign ownership restrictions and registration requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 182 prohibits payment processors from assigning special merchant category codes to firearm or ammunition retailers, requiring them to be classified as general merchandise or sporting goods retailers instead. This directly affects payment entities (like banks and credit card networks) and firearm retailers who must use standard retail codes. Violations carry a $1,000 fine per violation. The bill does not change gun laws or purchase requirements but modifies payment processing rules, effective July 1, 2024.

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.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SJ 4 is a joint resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose amendments focused on fiscal restraint, limiting federal power, and setting term limits for federal officials. The resolution specifies that the convention must not consider changes to the Bill of Rights and must operate with each state having one vote. The bill failed to pass during introduction in the Wyoming Senate on February 15, 2024, with 17 votes in favor and 14 against. This procedural resolution does not directly change laws but seeks to initiate a state-driven process for potential constitutional amendments.