Rep. Bill Henderson

Maddy summaryHB 45 creates a property tax exemption for single-family homes in Wyoming, directly affecting homeowners with residential structures. The exemption covers increases in a home's value above 5% of the previous year's assessed value, meaning homeowners pay tax only on growth exceeding that threshold. However, the exemption doesn't apply if the value increase comes from new construction, additions, or if the property was purchased in the prior year. The law requires tax assessment notices to include exemption details and applies to tax years starting January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 77 requires county clerks to report property sales within five miles of designated critical infrastructure zones to the Office of Homeland Security and the Division of Criminal Investigation. Critical infrastructure zones - designated by the governor in consultation with the homeland security director - include areas vital to state or national security, such as energy facilities or communication systems. The law mandates that these agencies investigate transactions involving "designated countries or persons" (like foreign adversaries) or posing security threats, with all investigation details kept confidential. Annual reviews of zone designations ensure they remain the least restrictive necessary for security.

Maddy summaryHB 141 requires Wyoming's land board to verify if oil and gas lease applicants meet defined qualifications before issuing new leases on state lands. If the highest bidder is unqualified, the board must consider the next highest bid instead. Unqualified applicants face a civil penalty equal to their bid amount, recoverable by the attorney general. The law applies only to new leases and does not affect existing agreements.

Maddy summarySF 84 sets limits on fees school districts can charge for renting their facilities in Wyoming. It requires districts to charge no more than the *additional* costs incurred for each specific rental (like extra utilities or cleaning), provide a clear breakdown of those costs, and keep fees consistent for similar uses. This directly affects school districts (who set the fees) and renters (like community groups or businesses using school buildings). The law takes effect July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 154 amends the Consumer Rental-Purchase Agreement Act to update rules for rent-to-own contracts, directly affecting consumers and merchants who use these agreements for items like furniture or electronics. The bill requires clear, plain-language disclosures in agreements - such as a mandatory notice in bold type about the right to terminate without penalty - and mandates that merchants provide digital notices with consumer consent. It also adds specific requirements for liability damage waivers, including a clear warning that they are optional and a recommendation to check existing insurance coverage. These changes standardize disclosures, expand digital agreement options, and enhance consumer transparency for rental-purchase transactions.

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 summaryWyoming's HB 196 requires the federal government to exchange equivalent federal-owned lands whenever it acquires additional property in the state after July 1, 2024 (excluding specific military, infrastructure, or reclamation projects). The bill mandates that federal land acquisitions must be paired with transfers of federal lands to Wyoming to prevent a net increase in federal ownership. If an exchange isn't possible, the federal government must provide 90 days' notice to Wyoming's land board before finalizing the acquisition. Additionally, any land transferred to Wyoming under this policy must be disposed of through a public process prioritizing adjacent landowners and local uses if it would cause a net increase in state-owned lands beyond 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 summaryHB 113 increases scholarship amounts for Wyoming's Hathaway program, directly affecting eligible students pursuing degrees or certificates at participating institutions. The bill raises semester awards for three scholarship tiers: Opportunity ($882, up from $840), Performance ($1,323, up from $1,260), and Honor ($1,764, up from $1,680) for full-time students meeting specific GPA and standardized test score criteria. Need-based scholarships also see updated calculations, with a minimum $110 per semester and increased caps for unmet financial need. The changes apply to students qualifying under existing Hathaway program standards, effective July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 146 expands Wyoming's property tax relief program to include renters who occupy rental properties as their principal residence. It allows eligible renters to apply for a refund of up to $250 (or the calculated amount, whichever is less) based on their income and assets, while existing owner-occupants continue to qualify for relief covering up to 75% of their property tax paid. To qualify, applicants must meet income limits (not exceeding 125% of their county's median household income), asset limits ($150,000 per adult), and occupy the property for at least 9 months annually. Applications must be submitted by June 1st each year, with refunds issued by September 30, and the bill takes effect January 1, 2025.