Sen. Wendy Schuler

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 37 adds podiatry services provided by licensed podiatrists to the list of medical services covered under the state's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance and Services Act). This bill directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries who need foot care and licensed podiatrists seeking reimbursement through Medicaid. The key provision authorizes $56,500 in state funds and $56,500 in federal funds specifically for these services during the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The funding is restricted to podiatry services only and must be spent within that period, with unspent funds reverting to the state. The bill takes effect July 1, 2023.

Maddy summarySF 65 repeals a law that paid local registrars for processing vital records (such as births, deaths, and marriages) in Wyoming. It requires all payments owed under the repealed law to be made before the bill's effective date. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law, ensuring existing payment obligations are fulfilled. This directly affects local registrars who handled vital records registration under the previous compensation system.

Maddy summaryHB 279 requires voters to present acceptable identification when applying for an absentee ballot in person at a county election office. It directly affects voters seeking absentee ballots through in-person applications, not mail-in or election-day voting. The bill amends election laws to specify that voters must provide ID meeting the definition in Wyoming Statute 22-1-102(a)(xxxix)(B) for this process. The requirement became effective July 1, 2023. This change modifies the application procedure but does not alter requirements for mail-in ballots or in-person voting at polling places.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wyoming law to extend the deadline for filling vacancies in chancery court judgeships from January 1, 2024, to January 1, 2025. It modifies the existing requirement in W.S. 5-13-109(b) to delay the effective date of filling these vacancies by one year. The change is procedural, affecting only the timeline for filling judicial positions in Wyoming's chancery courts, with no new eligibility rules or direct impacts on specific groups. The bill became effective July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits posting unauthorized signs that restrict access to or use of state or federal lands where lawful wildlife hunting is permitted. It specifically targets signs placed with intent to hinder hunting activities on public lands. Landowners retain the right to prevent trespass on private property, which is explicitly excluded from the law. The law applies to all public lands used for hunting and takes effect July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 82 changes Wyoming's rules for mental health examinations of criminal defendants. It specifically requires that defendants charged only with misdemeanors cannot be examined on an inpatient basis at the Wyoming State Hospital; instead, their examinations must be outpatient at the state hospital, a local mental health center, or their detention facility. Courts must choose examination sites considering factors like location, examiner availability, and security needs. This directly affects misdemeanor defendants and the courts managing their cases, with the rule taking effect July 1, 2023. Felony cases remain unaffected by this amendment.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 122 extends temporary vehicle registration options for nonresident workers employed in the state. It allows nonresident employees to purchase a temporary permit ($50 per month, max 180 days) instead of full registration, provided their vehicle already displays valid out-of-state plates and insurance. The permit must be visibly displayed and replaces the need for standard registration fees, with collected funds going to county general funds. This directly affects nonresident workers driving vehicles registered in other states.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding joint resolution (HJ 5) directs Wyoming's state agencies to research and coordinate with neighboring states on expanding passenger rail service. It requires the Wyoming Department of Transportation and governor's office to study funding opportunities, collaborate with Colorado and Montana on rail planning, and prepare a report for the legislature and congressional delegation. The bill does not create new funding or mandate rail service but focuses on gathering data and building regional partnerships. It died in committee in February 2023 and directly affects state transportation officials and regional stakeholders.

Maddy summaryHB 75 requires property owners in Wyoming to mark gates and access points with at least 50 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink paint to legally prohibit trespassing. It directly affects landowners (especially those with property along public roads), recreational users like hunters and anglers, and state agencies. The bill specifies that metal fence posts must be fully painted above ground, exempts public road entrances, and mandates the Game and Fish Commission and State Parks Department to include trespassing notice rules in permit materials and develop signs for public road entries. This standardizes property marking to clarify boundaries and reduce accidental trespassing on private land.

Maddy summaryHB 246 would require Wyoming to observe Mountain Standard Time year-round, eliminating the state's participation in Daylight Saving Time. The bill repeals previous laws that permitted time changes and establishes Mountain Standard Time as the state's permanent uniform time zone for all government operations and political subdivisions. This change directly affects state agencies, local governments, schools, and businesses across Wyoming by removing the need to adjust clocks in spring and fall. The bill's main provisions would take effect on November 5, 2023, unless it becomes law before that date.