Sen. Henry H.R. "Hank" Coe

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a rule that previously excluded certain noncitizens from eligibility for the Hathaway scholarship program. It directly affects noncitizen students in Wyoming who were previously barred from receiving this state-funded scholarship. The key change removes the specific exclusion provision (W.S. 21-16-1303(e)(i)) from the scholarship law. The bill would have allowed eligible noncitizens to apply for the scholarship, effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 129 eliminates several existing education reporting requirements for school districts, tribal councils, and the state superintendent. Specifically, it removes mandates for annual reports on statewide technology plans, school quality assessments, preschool program evaluations, tribal education expenditures, special education spending, and curriculum waivers. The bill directly affects school districts, tribal education programs, and state education officials who previously had to submit these detailed reports. This change reduces administrative burdens by removing these specific data collection and reporting obligations. The bill focuses on streamlining compliance rather than altering educational standards or funding.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 52) clarifies definitions and penalties related to alcohol sales under specific permits. It creates a new definition of "sell" for special permits, clarifying that transactions involving alcohol exchanged for consideration count as sales under these permits. The bill adjusts penalties for unauthorized sales by removing the standard penalties in W.S. 12-8-102(b) and instead specifies misdemeanor penalties of up to $1,000 fine or 1 year in jail for sales without required permits. It directly affects businesses seeking 24-hour malt beverage permits or catering permits.

Maddy summaryHB 294 requires Wyoming's Office of State Lands to study specific school trust land parcels near major highways (I-25, I-80, I-90) and the Grand Teton National Park Kelly parcel. The study must evaluate development options - including commercial, residential (including affordable housing), sustainable resource use, and limited gaming - to maximize land value, while preserving the state's royalty interests. The office must solicit proposals from development firms, estimate costs/revenue, and submit a final plan to state committees by November 2019. This is a preparatory study; it does not authorize development but sets the framework for future decisions.

Maddy summarySF 80 requires all Wyoming school buses transporting students to have external video systems starting with the 2016-2017 school year. It allows recordings from these systems to be used as evidence for violations of passing a stopped school bus (W.S. 31-5-507), with a $195 fine issued to the vehicle's registered owner if the driver cannot be identified. This fine does not count as a moving violation for license suspension or as a conviction for other purposes. The bill also specifies defenses for owners who did not consent to the driver using the vehicle or who sold the vehicle before the violation occurred.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 145 requires hunters and anglers to purchase a $6 annual recreation permit to access state trust lands (lands held for public schools and institutions). The permit fee distributes $4 to land beneficiaries (schools/institutions) and $2 to the game and fish commission for access programs. Exceptions include children under 12 with permit holders, public road travel, and state employees on duty. Violating the permit requirement is a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $200 or up to one week in jail. The law mandates an agreement between the game commission and land board by November 2019 to implement the fee system.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 148 creates a legal framework allowing the state to temporarily seize and operate federal facilities like national parks or wildlife refuges if the federal government cannot do so effectively. During seizure, the governor must maintain public access, protect natural/cultural resources, and allow concessionaires to continue operating, while charging fees to cover costs. The state must return the facility to federal control once the federal government can manage it, and repay any fees collected or profits earned. The bill also establishes a $1 million contingency fund for planning and exempts certain operational plans from public records disclosure.

2019/Summaries/SF0138.pdf