Sen. Wendy Schuler

Maddy summaryHB 254 would appropriate $93,000 from the state general fund to install microphones at every member's desk in the Wyoming House of Representatives chamber. The bill specifies these microphones would be used solely to enable roll call votes to be heard by attendees within the chamber and during legislative broadcasts. It requires the funds be used only for planning, design, purchase, and installation of the microphones, with any unspent funds reverting by June 30, 2026. The bill is procedural in nature and currently pending in the legislature (received for introduction January 21, 2025).

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Wyoming school districts calculate "average daily membership" (ADM), the metric used to determine state funding for schools. It lowers the attendance threshold for counting students as full-time from 80% to 75% of full-time equivalent hours and requires proportional calculation for part-time students. Students who withdraw or miss over 10 consecutive days will no longer be counted in ADM totals. These changes apply to school funding calculations starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill directly affects Wyoming public school districts receiving state funding based on ADM.

Maddy summaryHB 213 requires landlords in Wyoming to ensure all residential rental units have operational electrical, heating, plumbing, and hot/cold running water, removing a prior exception that allowed written agreements to waive this requirement. This directly affects landlords and tenants in standard residential rentals across Wyoming, effective July 1, 2025. The bill eliminates the ability for landlords to bypass utility maintenance through written agreements, mandating these basic amenities as standard. Seasonal rentals like summer cabins remain exempt, as specified in the amended law.

Maddy summaryHB 261 amends Wyoming's penalties for "accessory after the fact" (helping a criminal after a crime is committed). It creates three penalty tiers: 1) For non-violent felonies where the accessory is not a relative (3 years max jail or $3,000 fine), 2) For violent felonies (same as above), 3) For non-violent felonies when the accessory is a relative or the principal is a minor (6 months max jail or $750 fine). The bill directly affects individuals who assist criminals post-crime, with lighter penalties for family members or minors involved. It is pending legislative action and would take effect July 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wyoming school districts to ensure high school students (grades 9-12) can access at least 12 post-secondary credit hours through partnerships with accredited colleges or universities. It directly affects public high school students and school district boards, mandating they collaborate with post-secondary institutions to make these options "reasonably accessible." The key provision specifies that districts must guarantee access to these credits as part of standard high school programming, without adding new costs to students. The requirement becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 99 amends trespass laws to clarify that people do not commit criminal trespass or game/fish trespass when accidentally touching or passing through private land while traveling between two adjacent parcels they're authorized to access - specifically when the parcels share a common corner or are immediately connected. The bill directly affects landowners and individuals traveling across private property for legitimate access to adjacent parcels (e.g., ranchers moving between properties). It creates a clear exception for incidental contact during this specific travel, removing ambiguity about whether such movement violates trespass laws. The change applies only to travel between authorized parcels and does not permit hunting, fishing, or other activities on private land without permission. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wyoming school districts to adopt policies banning student cell phone and smart watch use during instructional time, effective July 1, 2025. It specifically exempts emergency situations, staff authorization, students with individualized education plans (IEPs) or 504 plans, and health-related phone use authorized by medical providers. The policy must exclude basic health-monitoring or time-telling wearable devices. School boards must establish these policies by July 1, 2025, applying to all public K-12 schools. The bill directly affects students, school staff, and district administrators by changing classroom technology rules.

Maddy summaryHB 45 creates a property tax exemption for single-family homes in Wyoming, directly affecting homeowners with residential structures. The exemption covers increases in a home's value above 5% of the previous year's assessed value, meaning homeowners pay tax only on growth exceeding that threshold. However, the exemption doesn't apply if the value increase comes from new construction, additions, or if the property was purchased in the prior year. The law requires tax assessment notices to include exemption details and applies to tax years starting January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 126 clarifies that home-based child care provided in a private residence (for up to 15 children regularly) is considered a "residential use" of property. This means property covenants that only allow "residential" uses cannot block family day care operations, unless the covenant explicitly and clearly prohibits child care. The law applies to existing and future property covenants that don't address child care directly. It takes effect on July 1, 2024, directly affecting homeowners operating family day care in their residences.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund to support recreational and tourism projects across the state. It creates a 9-member board (appointed by the governor) to manage the fund, approve grants for recreation projects, and ensure projects benefit both residents and visitors. The board must prioritize multi-partner projects, consult with tribal governments, and consider community impacts when reviewing grant applications. Funds will support small projects approved directly by the board and larger projects requiring legislative committee review.