Rep. Eric Barlow

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 118 clarifies that tax liens on mineral production (like oil and gas) have priority over most other claims against the mineral property. It requires counties to notify existing lienholders 90 days after taxes become delinquent and file their lien within 120 days, while protecting taxpayers' rights to appeal tax disputes before enforcement. This directly affects mineral producers who owe taxes, creditors holding prior liens, and counties managing tax collections. The law applies to mineral tax liens perfected on or after July 1, 2019, and ensures mineral tax claims are prioritized over most other debts except federal/state claims and pre-existing, properly recorded liens.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 150 creates a framework for the Department of Health to conduct "innovative studies" focused on reducing health care costs, enabling home-based long-term care, developing new health services, and expanding telehealth access. The bill establishes a dedicated $1 million health care innovation account (funded from the general fund), allows the department to bypass standard procurement rules and waive certain regulations for these studies, and defines "innovative study" as controlled trials or pilot programs (excluding pharmaceuticals). It requires annual reports to legislative committees on study progress and funding use. The bill directly affects the state health department and entities partnering with it to test new health care approaches.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows private buyers to purchase retiring Wyoming coal-fired power plants without becoming regulated public utilities, while requiring utilities to make good-faith efforts to sell such plants before retirement. It prevents utilities from recovering costs for replacement facilities unless the commission determines they attempted to sell the retiring plant and received no reasonable offers. The Public Service Commission must approve all sale agreements and evaluate offers based on cost savings, risk reduction, and public interest - not potential lost utility revenues. It directly affects Wyoming utilities owning retiring coal plants, potential private buyers, and the commission overseeing approvals.

Maddy summaryHB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 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.