Sen. Wendy Schuler

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public school districts in Wyoming to equip non-school-bus vehicles used for student transportation (e.g., vans or shuttles for field trips or after-school activities) with flashing white and amber lights. It specifically amends vehicle lighting laws to authorize these lights for such vehicles, distinguishing them from standard school buses. The change applies immediately upon enactment and directly affects school districts managing student transport outside of traditional school bus operations.

Maddy summarySF 151 amends Wyoming's rules for distributing monthly ad valorem taxes collected from mineral production. It requires county treasurers to distribute these taxes by the 10th day of the following month, except for taxes collected after final reconciliation. Crucially, it prohibits distributing taxes to government entities that don't levy taxes under specific statutes (W.S. 39-13-104(k)), and mandates holding such taxes until reconciliation is complete. This bill directly affects county treasurers and local governments receiving mineral tax revenue, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySF 143 allows Wyoming state funds to be deposited in credit unions that meet specific requirements, directly affecting the state treasurer, government entities managing public money, and qualifying credit unions. The bill amends state law to require credit unions seeking to hold state funds to apply through the board of deposits, provide financial statements, and maintain security like bonds or mortgages. Credit unions must submit annual financial updates and notify the state if facing regulatory action. This change expands where public funds can be held beyond traditional banks, while maintaining oversight through the state’s board of deposits.

Maddy summaryHB 181 updates rules for prepaid funeral contracts in Wyoming. It allows funeral homes to invest buyer funds in special trust accounts (compliant with existing laws) instead of requiring direct deposits in banks, while clarifying that investment earnings benefit the seller, not the buyer. The bill requires sellers to notify buyers about investment types and risks, and specifies that contracts become irrevocable once funds enter the trust. It also ensures that bond requirements for these funds won’t exceed existing minimums. This directly affects funeral homes selling prepaid services and their buyers.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt the primary residence (including up to 25 acres of land) of certain veterans from property taxes. It directly affects veterans certified with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability, and their surviving spouses who haven't remarried and keep the property as their primary residence. If approved by voters, the amendment would add this exemption to Wyoming's constitution, requiring the legislature to implement it through general law. The change would provide tax relief for eligible veterans and surviving spouses by removing property tax liability on their primary homes.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJ 3) commemorates the 100th anniversary of Nellie Tayloe Ross becoming the first woman governor of the United States in 1925. It formally recognizes her historic achievement and legacy through a symbolic resolution passed by the Wyoming Legislature. The bill has no policy provisions or direct impact on citizens; it serves only as a ceremonial acknowledgment. Wyoming's legislature will transmit copies of the resolution to federal officials as part of the commemoration. This is a purely symbolic measure with no legislative or financial effects.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a competitive grant program for K-12 public schools in Wyoming to fund crossing guard programs. School districts may apply for up to $10,000 per school annually (2025-2028) to cover training, wages for faculty/volunteers, and equipment, with $4.95 million total allocated from the public school foundation fund. Applications require detailed plans for school intersections, staffing, training, and equipment costs, and must be submitted by June 30 each year. The program expires July 1, 2028, and grant funds cannot reduce existing school foundation funding.

Maddy summaryHB 178 increases Wyoming employees' time off to vote from one hour to two hours during election hours (polling hours) for primary, general, or special elections to fill a U.S. House of Representatives seat. It ensures employees do not lose pay for this time off when they cast a legal vote, applying to all eligible voters except those with three or more consecutive nonworking hours during polling. The bill modifies existing law (W.S. 22-2-111) to clarify these provisions and takes effect July 1, 2025. This directly affects Wyoming workers participating in federal elections who need to vote during standard work hours.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 150 creates a property tax exemption for real estate and equipment (like buildings and training tools) used exclusively by for-profit trade schools for educational purposes in the state. To qualify, schools must be registered in Wyoming, located within the state, offer career-focused training aligned with workforce needs, and maintain national accreditation. The exemption applies only to property used for teaching - commercial uses like retail space don't qualify - and requires annual reporting to the state. Schools must apply for the exemption, which lasts five years and requires renewal before expiration. This policy aims to support workforce development by reducing operating costs for qualifying institutions.

Maddy summaryHB 37 amends Wyoming law to allow school boards to expel students for possessing a deadly weapon for more than one year, extending beyond the standard one-year expulsion. It directly affects students who violate school safety policies regarding deadly weapons. The key provision requires school districts to provide alternative educational services during the extended expulsion period. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not change the definition of "deadly weapon" or the initial one-year expulsion standard.