Sen. Larry Hicks

Maddy summaryThis bill removes "continuing contract" status (commonly called tenure) for Wyoming teachers. It requires annual performance evaluations for teachers until they earn an "effective" rating for two consecutive years, after which evaluations occur every three years. The bill also modifies hearing procedures for teacher suspensions, dismissals, and terminations, and eliminates the legal concept of tenure from the state's teacher employment law. These changes directly affect teachers who currently hold continuing contracts (tenure) in Wyoming school districts.

Maddy summarySF 183 imposes a temporary ban on initiating or expanding new solar and wind energy facilities in Wyoming, effective immediately until June 30, 2030. The bill prohibits new projects but explicitly excludes existing facilities, net metering systems, and projects that received final county approval before specific dates. Key provisions include defining "solar energy facility" and "wind energy facility" while requiring conforming changes to related statutes about permits, eminent domain, and land-use regulations. This policy change directly affects developers, energy companies, and local governments planning new renewable energy infrastructure within the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires industrial facility developers to pay wildlife impact costs to eligible groups (like conservation organizations) when siting projects that harm wildlife habitats. Developers must apply to the Industrial Siting Council, providing evidence of specific wildlife impacts and mitigation plans. The Council then reviews this evidence, determines the payment amount based on unmitigated harm, and ensures funds are used solely for reducing those impacts. Payments are made to the state treasurer, who distributes them directly to the eligible groups for habitat restoration or conservation work. The bill applies to all new industrial facilities requiring state siting permits under Wyoming law.

Maddy summarySF 90 requires Wyoming public school districts to adopt policies by the 2025-2026 school year allowing "patriotic organizations" (defined as youth groups under 21 with educational purposes promoting patriotism, like 4-H or specific federally listed groups) to participate in schools. The policy must permit organization representatives to speak to students during school hours about their activities, distribute materials, and display information - subject to parental notification and consent for student participation. School districts must allow displays outside school hours without unreasonable restrictions but are not required to provide equal access to non-patriotic groups. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 209 repeals Wyoming's low-carbon energy standards for public utilities, removing requirements that previously mandated certain carbon-reduction measures. The bill directly affects electric utilities by eliminating statutory obligations related to low-carbon energy generation and dispatchable/reliable power definitions. Key provisions repeal specific sections of Wyoming law (W.S. 37-1-101, 37-18-101, and 37-18-102) that established these standards. The Public Service Commission must then create new rules to implement the repeal, with the bill taking effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 293 repeals Wyoming's School Foundation Program Reserve Account and transfers all existing funds to the Common School Permanent Fund Reserve Account. The bill modifies school finance by redirecting all future revenues that would have gone to the repealed account into the Common School Permanent Fund Reserve Account. It requires the state auditor to report on these transfers to the joint appropriations committee by October 2026 and 2027. This change affects state school funding mechanisms but does not alter current school finance formulas or funding levels.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 294 amends how the state distributes excess federal mineral royalties (payments from oil, gas, and mineral leases on federal land) received above specific annual thresholds. For fiscal years 2026 and beyond, any revenue exceeding the most recent even-year revenue forecast will be split equally: half goes to the common school permanent fund reserve account, and half to the permanent Wyoming mineral trust fund reserve account. The bill also adjusts thresholds for 2025 ($549.4 million) and 2026 ($530.2 million), repeals outdated distribution provisions (sections k, m, n), and takes effect July 1, 2025. This directly affects state school funding and the mineral trust fund by changing the allocation method for surplus royalty payments.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 271 reduces the annual spending rate for the common school account within the state's permanent land fund from 5% to 4.5% of the account's five-year average market value. This change directly affects public school funding by lowering the amount that can be spent each year from this specific account. The bill modifies statutes governing how investment earnings and federal mineral royalties are handled within the school funding system. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, and represents a concrete adjustment to the state's school finance formula. The bill does not change the total funds available but alters the calculation method for annual spending.

Maddy summaryHB 270 changes Wyoming's spending policy for the Permanent Mineral Trust Fund by reducing the annual spending rate from 5% to 4.5% of the fund's five-year average market value. This adjustment directly affects how the state calculates and spends earnings from the trust fund's investments each fiscal year. The bill modifies Section 9-4-719(d)(v) of Wyoming law to implement this lower spending percentage. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, applying to all future fiscal years.

Maddy summaryHB 148 increases the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees from 12 to 19 members, with 14 voting trustees (7 appointed by the governor and 7 elected by voters) and 5 nonvoting ex officio members (including the governor, university president, and education officials). The bill establishes elections for the 7 elected trustees every four years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, requiring at least one elected trustee per designated district. It specifies that appointed trustees serve six-year terms after 2026, replaces outdated provisions, and clarifies vacancy procedures for elected members. This directly affects how the university's governing board is selected, shifting part of the process from gubernatorial appointment to voter elections.