Rep. Dan Zwonitzer

Maddy summaryHB 203 creates a property tax exemption for single-family residential properties in Wyoming, covering the first $200,000 of value in 2024 and $1 million annually thereafter. To offset lost local revenue, it adds a 2% sales tax (raising the total rate to 6%) effective July 2024. Funds from this tax are distributed to counties based on their lost property tax revenue from the exemption, with any remaining funds used for sales tax refunds to businesses paying severance and sales taxes. The bill directly affects homeowners with qualifying properties and local governments reliant on property tax revenue.

Maddy summaryHB 169 continues Wyoming's Mental Health and Vulnerable Adult Task Force through December 2024. The task force, composed of 3 House members, 3 Senate members, and agency directors (including health, family services, corrections, and education), must study state mental health services, remove interagency barriers, and develop programs addressing unmet needs like adolescent behavioral services and court diversion for mentally ill individuals. It requires a final report by October 1, 2024, and is funded with $55,000 from the general fund for legislative members' expenses. The bill directly affects vulnerable adults and mental health service recipients by mandating coordinated system improvements.

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 205 creates a new legal framework for cities, towns, and counties in Wyoming to enter into development agreements with property owners. The bill requires these agreements to lock in existing zoning, building codes, and land use rules at the time of signing - meaning future changes to those rules won't override the agreement. Key provisions include specifying agreement duration, permitted land uses, building height limits, public facility requirements, and construction timelines. It also ensures agreements remain enforceable even if local land use plans change, and sets conditions for annexation of unincorporated land. This directly affects local governments, developers, and property owners by stabilizing development terms during project planning.

Maddy summaryHB 199 modifies Wyoming's absentee ballot processing rules. It allows absentee ballots postmarked by election day but received before the county canvassing board meets to be counted, instead of being rejected if received after 7:00 p.m. election day. The bill also changes the deadline for county canvassing boards to convene, requiring them to meet no later than the first Friday after the election. These changes directly affect voters who mail ballots late but have valid postmarks and county election officials handling ballot processing. The law takes effect July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 95 requires healthcare providers to submit insurance claims directly to insurers instead of shifting this responsibility to patients. It prohibits providers from including terms in patient agreements that force patients to handle claim submissions. If a provider fails to submit a claim properly, they bear the risk of nonpayment and cannot blame the patient. The law applies to all provider-patient agreements for insurance claims starting July 1, 2024. This changes the process for claim handling under Wyoming's insurance code.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HJ 6 is a joint resolution requesting Congress to call a convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose constitutional amendments. The convention would be limited to addressing federal fiscal issues (like debt and spending), restricting federal power over states, and setting term limits for federal officials and Congress. The resolution includes specific safeguards, such as requiring two-thirds of states to agree on the same purpose before Congress acts, ensuring states vote one state, one vote, and explicitly excluding any changes to the Bill of Rights. This resolution serves as Wyoming's continuing application until two-thirds of states support identical proposals.

Maddy summaryHB 173 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and insurers to include retail pharmacies in patients' network choices without using financial incentives like reduced copays to steer patients toward specific locations. It mandates the Wyoming Department of Insurance to create rules ensuring adequate in-network pharmacy access, including location requirements. The law, effective January 1, 2025, directly affects patients (who gain more pharmacy choice), retail pharmacies (protected from exclusion), and PBMs/insurers (prohibited from using cost-sharing tactics to limit options). It focuses on transparency and network adequacy without altering prescription drug pricing or coverage.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SJ 4 is a joint resolution requesting Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose amendments focused on fiscal restraint, limiting federal power, and setting term limits for federal officials. The resolution specifies that the convention must not consider changes to the Bill of Rights and must operate with each state having one vote. The bill failed to pass during introduction in the Wyoming Senate on February 15, 2024, with 17 votes in favor and 14 against. This procedural resolution does not directly change laws but seeks to initiate a state-driven process for potential constitutional amendments.