Rep. Steve Harshman

Maddy summaryHB 120 exempts from Wyoming property taxes energy production equipment temporarily stored in the state before installation. It directly affects businesses storing specialized energy equipment (like wind turbines or solar panels) for future use in energy production facilities. The law defines "energy production equipment" to include items for natural gas, coal, wind, solar, hydro, or nuclear energy, but excludes standard building materials or construction tools. This exemption applies only during temporary storage prior to installation and takes effect July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryHB 308 modernizes Wyoming's public school funding system by adjusting how mineral royalties, severance taxes, and other revenue streams are allocated. It requires up to $8 million annually from mineral royalties (for fiscal years 2019-2020) to fund school capital construction projects, while gradually reducing the annual spending rate from the common school account from 5% to 4.5% of its five-year average value over time. The bill also allows the state treasurer to use the common school account to make interfund loans to the school foundation program when dedicated revenues are delayed, ensuring timely payments to school districts. These changes directly affect all Wyoming public school districts by altering the flow of state funds for operations, capital projects, and transportation services.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 104 establishes a specialized Chancery Court to handle complex civil cases, directly affecting residents and businesses involved in disputes requiring specialized legal expertise (e.g., corporate, real estate, or contract matters). The bill creates a court with up to three nonpartisan judges serving six-year terms, requiring a $1,000 minimum filing fee for cases and authorizing the Supreme Court to set rules for procedures, fees, and case transfers. Funding comes primarily from case filing fees, with the legislature able to supplement from general funds if needed. The court operates statewide with concurrent jurisdiction, and appeals go directly to the Wyoming Supreme Court.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 111 authorizes community colleges to offer applied bachelor's degree programs (called "baccalaureate of applied science" degrees) for the first time. It requires the Community College Commission to approve all new such programs before they can receive state funding. The bill also updates the Hathaway scholarship program to cover these new degrees, allowing students to use scholarships for up to eight semesters to complete them while maintaining a 2.25 GPA. This directly affects community college students pursuing applied bachelor's degrees and the colleges offering them.

Maddy summaryHB 293 authorizes the construction of new student housing at the University of Wyoming to replace aging dormitories. It creates a phased project (Phase 1 for ~2,000 students) on campus, requiring new buildings to be 6 stories or less with student services, and removes a construction moratorium. The bill redirects $8 million annually from the state budget reserve to a new University of Wyoming housing account, while requiring the university to reduce its standard budget request by that amount. It also provides funds for Laramie traffic improvements related to the project and modifies bond programs to support construction financing.

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 297 requires Wyoming school districts to implement a reading screening program for all kindergarten through third-grade students, including early checks for dyslexia and other reading difficulties. It mandates annual reporting on student progress toward an 85% goal for third graders reading at grade level, with schools failing to meet this target required to submit improvement plans addressing staffing ratios and evidence-based interventions. The law also directs the state superintendent to create supporting rules and provide direct assistance to schools developing these plans. This bill directly affects K-3 students, school districts, and educators by establishing standardized assessment, intervention, and accountability measures for early literacy.