Sen. Wendy Schuler

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 summaryHB 148 requires Wyoming's five elected state officials and all legislators to annually disclose contracts they have with state entities. Specifically, they must list the business name, address, contract type, and dates for any contract involving a business they financially own (excluding small stock holdings under 1% or minor business interests). This disclosure must be submitted by January 31 each year to the Secretary of State. The bill does not change state spending rules but mandates transparency about potential conflicts of interest in existing contracts. It applies to all state agencies and judicial branches, effective July 1, 2019.

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 55 allows mobile home owners in Wyoming to use a copy of their title instead of the original when transporting their mobile home within the state. The bill amends tax and permit rules to require owners to present a copy of the title (along with proof of tax payment) to the county treasurer before obtaining an over-width permit from the Department of Transportation. This change directly affects mobile home owners who need to move their homes on public roads, simplifying the process by eliminating the need to carry the original title. The law became effective July 1, 2019, and does not alter the requirement to pay annual property taxes for transport permits.

Maddy summaryHB 125 increases filing fees for probate cases in Wyoming district courts from $50 to $75 and for civil cases from $85 to $110. It specifies that $25 of the civil filing fee funds court automation and $10 supports indigent civil legal services, with the remaining amounts covering court operations. This bill directly affects individuals and organizations filing probate or civil cases in Wyoming district courts. The fee changes took effect on July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryHB 243 changes Wyoming driver's license expiration rules by extending the validity period from four to five years. Specifically, licenses now expire on the holder's birthday in the fifth year after issuance (previously the fourth year), and drivers may receive a five-year renewal extension without a test (previously listed as a choice between four or five years) if their license hasn't been suspended in the past five years. These changes apply to licenses issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2019, affecting all Wyoming drivers with new or renewed licenses after that date.

Maddy summarySF 161 amends Wyoming's legislative management council membership rules. It specifies that two senators and two representatives are selected at large by each chamber's party caucuses, with strict limits on party representation (no more than one from the same party as the chamber's presiding officer). The bill also establishes a two-year rotation of the council chairmanship between the House and Senate and clarifies that the council directs the legislature's day-to-day operations. This procedural bill affects only the internal organization of the Wyoming Legislature, not public policy.

Maddy summaryHB 170 amends Wyoming law to require child protective service workers to complete training on specific federal and state child welfare laws. The bill directly affects all state-employed child protective service workers by mandating they understand key legislation, including the Adoption and Safe Families Act, Indian Child Welfare Act, Multi-Ethnic Placement Act, Child Abuse Prevention Treatment Act, and Family First Prevention Services Act. This training requirement ensures workers are knowledgeable about legal standards governing child welfare practice. The law took effect on July 1, 2019.