Rep. Steve Harshman

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 192 requires all public school districts to provide daily lunch to every enrolled student starting in the 2023-2024 school year. It creates a state financial assistance program covering up to 50% of unpaid meal costs from the previous school year, funded by $150,000 in state appropriations (with $75,000 available annually). School districts must apply by September 30 each year, charge a state-determined minimum meal price, and report program details to the education department. The law directly affects all Wyoming public school districts and their students, with funds administered by the state education department through a new rulemaking process.

Maddy summaryHB 179 modifies Wyoming's medical education programs to prioritize training for rural healthcare needs. It requires universities to emphasize rural health care in medical curricula, create a Medical School Student Fund (using student payments and investments), and use fund income for relocation costs, rural training, and scholarships for students committing to practice in underserved areas. The bill directly affects medical students, Wyoming's higher education institutions, and rural communities facing healthcare shortages. Universities must report annual fund usage and program modifications to legislative committees by October 1 each year.

Maddy summarySF 90 creates the Wyoming Property Tax Relief Authority to provide property tax loans to eligible homeowners. The authority, governed by a 5-member board appointed by the governor, will administer a loan program to help Wyoming residents with primary residences who face increased property tax burdens. Key provisions include authorizing the authority to borrow funds, issue bonds (not state obligations), and require assessment notices to inform homeowners about the loan program. All loan applications will be kept confidential under the Public Records Act.

Maddy summaryHB 129 establishes a Wyoming Private Employees' Retirement Savings Task Force to study creating a retirement savings plan for private-sector workers (not government employees). The task force will examine key features like payroll deduction contributions, automatic enrollment with opt-out options, and how employers could offer the plan without mandatory employer contributions. It must analyze feasibility, legal compliance (including ERISA and IRS rules), employer costs, and potential implementation steps, including possible tax incentives. The task force is required to submit recommendations by September 2024, but the bill itself does not create the retirement plan - it only authorizes the study.

Maddy summaryHB 110 designates June 19 as Juneteenth, a state holiday in Wyoming, to be observed annually on that date. It requires all state agencies, including the University of Wyoming, to update their holiday policies and personnel rules to recognize Juneteenth as a paid day off for employees. The bill repeals prior Juneteenth holiday provisions and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 91 sets minimum and maximum annual salary ranges for specific county officers in Wyoming, effective January 2, 2023. It directly affects county assessors, part-time county/prosecuting attorneys, county clerks, clerks of district court, sheriffs, and treasurers. The bill requires these officers to receive at least $10,000 per year but no more than the salary authorized for a district court judge (per W.S. 5-1-110). It also repeals outdated salary language in the existing statute.

Maddy summaryHB 63 updates salary structures for Wyoming's district attorneys and county/prosecuting attorneys. Starting in 2023, district attorneys will earn the same as district court judges, while county attorneys must receive at least $35,000 annually but no more than the district court judge's salary. The bill also increases state funding for county attorneys, covering up to $50,000 per year (or 50% of salary, whichever is less) for the main attorney and $30,000 for each assistant. These changes take effect July 1, 2022, with the new salary levels applying from January 2, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Wyoming's "seal of biliteracy" and "advanced distinction seal of biliteracy" for high school graduates. It allows school districts to award these seals to students who demonstrate proficiency in English plus one or more world languages (including American Sign Language, classical languages, and indigenous languages). The state superintendent designs the program, sets assessment standards, and requires districts to report annually on the number of seals issued, languages used, and seal types. The program applies to all Wyoming high school students meeting the proficiency criteria, with implementation beginning July 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryHB 55 exempts airports in Wyoming counties outside incorporated cities or towns from a rule limiting retail liquor licenses within five miles of city limits. Normally, such counties could issue no more than three retail liquor licenses in that 5-mile zone, but airports are now allowed to operate liquor sales without counting toward that cap. The bill directly affects airports seeking liquor licenses in rural or unincorporated areas, removing a barrier to serving alcohol on-site. It became effective July 1, 2022, and makes no other changes to liquor licensing rules.

Maddy summaryHB 89 amends Wyoming law to strengthen enforcement of unpaid mineral production taxes. It allows the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to order wells to be plugged or halt production if a mineral producer owes over $2 million in ad valorem taxes that are more than 90 days overdue. Once taxes are paid, the commission must lift these restrictions. The bill directly affects mineral producers with significant delinquent tax payments and takes effect July 1, 2022.