Rep. Andrew Byron

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 128) amends deadlines for approving charter schools. It changes the date by which up to three charter schools can be authorized by entities other than school districts from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2024. The bill also clarifies that schools previously authorized by the state loan and investment board count toward this three-school limit and allows new approvals if existing charter schools close. The change corrects a typographical error in the existing law and takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

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 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 171 requires anyone proposing to exchange state-owned land (including private individuals, governments, or agencies) to submit a formal application with land valuation documentation to Wyoming's Board of Land Commissioners. The board must then post online public notice about each proposed exchange, including how to comment, until a final decision is made. This applies to all land exchange proposals starting July 1, 2024, and mandates the board to create implementing rules. The bill increases transparency by ensuring public access to exchange details before any transaction occurs.

Maddy summaryHB 85 would require social media companies to obtain parental permission before minors under 18 can create accounts on their platforms. It defines "minor" as unmarried, unemancipated Wyoming residents under 18 and mandates platforms to verify consent through rules created by the attorney general. The law would deny access to minors who haven't provided verified parental consent, with enforcement under Wyoming's Consumer Protection Act. The bill failed committee review in February 2024 and is not currently law.

Maddy summaryHB 209 modifies Wyoming's law regarding underage alcohol possession by reducing penalties and creating automatic record expungement. It changes the penalty for minors under 21 found possessing, consuming, or having measurable alcohol in their system from a misdemeanor to a $250 fine, and automatically expunges the conviction from all records six months after the fine is paid. This applies to convictions occurring on or after July 1, 2024, and removes the need for a separate court request to clear the record. The bill directly affects individuals under 21 convicted of these specific alcohol violations.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 174 creates a new Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board to oversee public charter schools statewide. The board, consisting of five members (including the state superintendent and appointees from the governor, Senate, and House), will approve, renew, and oversee charter schools under specific quality standards. The bill modifies how charter schools are authorized (replacing school district oversight with the state board), adjusts funding rules, and requires transparency in decision-making. This directly affects public charter schools, their governing boards, and the state education department as the local education agency.

Maddy summaryHB 171 modifies Wyoming's rules for leasing school lands. It requires the board of land commissioners to provide 30 days' notice before leasing school lands via website, local newspaper, and certified mail to current lessees, adjacent landowners, and residents. The bill allows county residents who own adjacent land or are county residents to match the highest bid within five business days, giving them priority to lease the land if they meet the bid. This applies specifically to school land leases and excludes renewals of existing grazing or agricultural leases.