Sen. Mike Gierau

Maddy summaryHB 110 establishes a licensing system for behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts in Wyoming. To obtain a license, applicants must hold a current certification from a recognized certifying entity (like a Board Certified Behavior Analyst) and meet board requirements, with exemptions for certain professionals like licensed psychologists or students under supervision. The bill also defines "behavior technicians" who must work under a licensed behavior analyst's supervision and cannot represent themselves as licensed. It directly affects behavior analysts, technicians, and related professionals practicing in Wyoming, ensuring standardized qualifications and oversight.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 81 clarifies that the state owns all underground water within its boundaries, as established by the state constitution. The bill preserves existing water use rights for well owners (for irrigation, municipal, or industrial purposes) but requires registration of wells with the state engineer by specific deadlines. It mandates permits for new well construction after July 1, 2022, while allowing existing "exempt" wells to register before December 31, 1972. The bill is declaratory - clarifying current law without altering existing water rights or creating new restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 54 authorizes Wyoming's Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources to lease state lands for recreational use and sell permits allowing public access to these areas. The bill establishes a system where funds from permit sales must be used for operations and maintenance of leased recreational sites, and permits may include restrictions like per-person or vehicle limits. It also allows the department to lease concessions (such as boat rentals or cabins) on leased lands under specific terms. The bill directly affects state parks management and recreational users who purchase permits or use concession services on state lands. This legislation modifies existing statutes (W.S. 36-4-103, 36-4-104, etc.) to clarify and expand the department's authority for managing recreational lands.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 111 (Wyoming Financial Transparency Act) requires the state treasurer's office to submit regular financial reports to legislative committees. Starting July 1, 2022, the office must provide quarterly summaries of cash and investment earnings, annual reports on responses to audit recommendations, and monthly updates on fund distributions, investment performance, and operational issues. These reports cover all state funds managed by the treasurer's office and are directed to the joint appropriations committee and select capital financing committee. The bill mandates these reporting requirements through June 30, 2024, with specific deadlines for each report type. The legislation directly affects the state treasurer's office's reporting obligations and provides legislative committees with detailed financial oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to establish a redistricting commission that would draw Wyoming's legislative district boundaries after each U.S. census, replacing the current process where the legislature handles redistricting. The commission would consist of five members appointed without regard to political affiliation (two by the governor, one by the Senate president, one by the House speaker, and one by the chief justice) and must create 60 house districts and 30 senate districts (each senate district covering two house districts) with populations within 5% of the state average. The commission would have 90 days to adopt a final plan requiring approval from three of its five members, with judicial review available through the Wyoming Supreme Court if errors are alleged. This change would repeal the current requirement that each county have at least one representative and one senator.

Maddy summaryHB 1021 creates Wyoming's Individual and Family COVID-19 Impact Support Program, providing temporary financial assistance to residents affected by the pandemic. The program offers money for essentials like food, medicine, childcare, mental health support, and lost wages, funded by $20 million in unused federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. County commissioners can request support for eligible individuals/families, with benefits distributed through community organizations meeting state standards. The program must be fully implemented by October 1, 2024, using funds specifically designated for pandemic-related hardship relief.

Maddy summaryHB 1016 would amend Wyoming's firemen's pension law to stop automatic annual 3% benefit increases after January 1, 2022, requiring future legislative approval for any raises. It also mandates the retirement board to adjust pension fund investments to align with other state retirement programs, moving away from fixed-income portfolios. The bill directly affects firefighters receiving pensions under Wyoming's Fire A retirement program. If enacted, it would change how pension increases are authorized and how funds are invested, with no automatic raises after 2022 without new legislation.

Maddy summarySF 1016 amends Wyoming's firemen's pension law to halt automatic annual pension increases after January 1, 2022, requiring future legislative approval for any raises. It also mandates that the pension fund shift investments away from fixed-income portfolios to align with other retirement systems, following the "prudent investor" standard. The bill affects current and future firemen retirees receiving pensions under Wyoming's Fire A program. It takes effect immediately upon becoming law, with no automatic increases permitted without new legislative action.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 1015 would provide a $1,000 incentive payment to eligible state employees who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by December 31, 2021. It defines "state employee" broadly to include full-time staff across all government branches (executive, legislative, judicial), universities, and public institutions, but excludes elected officials. The bill appropriates $14.72 million from unused federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to cover these payments, distributing amounts to specific state entities like executive agencies, the University of Wyoming, community colleges, and courts. The incentive is explicitly tied to voluntary vaccination efforts during the pandemic, with payments only available to employees continuously employed through the deadline.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 1015 provides $1,000 incentive payments to state employees who received full COVID-19 vaccination by December 31, 2021. The bill directly affects all full-time state employees (excluding elected officials) across executive, legislative, judicial branches, universities, and community colleges. It is funded with $14.72 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, allocated to specific state entities for distributing the payments. The payment aims to encourage voluntary vaccination during the pandemic, with "fully vaccinated" defined as completing all recommended doses of a vaccine approved to prevent or reduce COVID-19 symptoms.