Sen. Eli Bebout

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts qualifying private schools from county zoning regulations in Wyoming. It specifically applies to private schools located on 35 or more contiguous acres with a capacity for at least 50 students, as defined in state law. County zoning rules can no longer restrict the location, use, or occupancy of such schools. The policy change took effect July 1, 2019, directly affecting only private schools meeting these two size and capacity requirements.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 150 creates a framework for the Department of Health to conduct "innovative studies" focused on reducing health care costs, enabling home-based long-term care, developing new health services, and expanding telehealth access. The bill establishes a dedicated $1 million health care innovation account (funded from the general fund), allows the department to bypass standard procurement rules and waive certain regulations for these studies, and defines "innovative study" as controlled trials or pilot programs (excluding pharmaceuticals). It requires annual reports to legislative committees on study progress and funding use. The bill directly affects the state health department and entities partnering with it to test new health care approaches.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows private buyers to purchase retiring Wyoming coal-fired power plants without becoming regulated public utilities, while requiring utilities to make good-faith efforts to sell such plants before retirement. It prevents utilities from recovering costs for replacement facilities unless the commission determines they attempted to sell the retiring plant and received no reasonable offers. The Public Service Commission must approve all sale agreements and evaluate offers based on cost savings, risk reduction, and public interest - not potential lost utility revenues. It directly affects Wyoming utilities owning retiring coal plants, potential private buyers, and the commission overseeing approvals.

Maddy summarySF 9 exempts fire protection districts and water and sewer districts in Wyoming from the requirement to undergo an annual financial audit under the Uniform Municipal Fiscal Procedures Act. Previously, these districts were mandated to have an annual audit by a certified public accountant, but this bill removes that specific obligation. The districts must still comply with other financial oversight provisions, such as those outlined in Wyoming Statute 9-1-507(a)(iii). The exemption takes effect immediately upon the bill's enactment.

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 summaryWyoming's SF 120 updates hearing requirements for student suspensions and expulsions. It specifies that schools must provide students facing short-term suspensions (10 days or less) with a hearing within 72 hours of removal, and those facing longer suspensions or expulsions must have a hearing within 10 days of the recommendation. The bill also requires written notice to parents within 24 hours of any suspension or expulsion decision. These changes apply directly to school administrators, boards of trustees, and students subject to disciplinary action under Wyoming law.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Wyoming counties from eliminating livestock grazing on state-owned land without first following specific procedures. It requires counties to comply with the zoning article and their comprehensive plan before restricting grazing. The law directly affects counties managing land use and livestock operations using state lands. It became effective July 1, 2019, ensuring existing grazing uses on state land cannot be unilaterally ended by county action.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 134) provides temporary severance tax exemptions for oil and gas producers under specific conditions. It exempts new wells (after July 2019), wells undergoing workovers/recompletions, and tertiary recovery projects from severance taxes for 24 months. Exemptions are reduced or eliminated if oil prices exceed $80/WTI for sweet crude, $60/WCS for sour crude, or $6.00/MCF for natural gas at the time of production. The exemptions directly affect Wyoming oil and gas producers meeting these criteria, with partial exemptions applying during price ranges between $60-$80/WTI for sweet crude, $40-$60/WCS for sour crude, and $5-$6.00/MCF for natural gas.

Maddy summaryHB 204 establishes a standardized course numbering and transcript system for Wyoming's community colleges and the University of Wyoming. It requires common course numbers, electronic course catalogs, and shared transfer software to simplify credit transfers between institutions and support student program planning. The system mandates that all community colleges and UW use consistent course numbering to automatically transfer credits for students moving between schools, particularly for those with articulation agreements. This directly affects students transferring between institutions, faculty developing curricula, and administrators managing course equivalencies and data systems.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 111 amends voting procedures for the Environmental Quality Council. It specifies that members who recuse themselves, are absent, unable to attend due to illness, or vacant council positions are not counted as participating in votes. This clarifies that a quorum requires four members physically present, and decisions require majority vote among those participating. The bill took effect July 1, 2019, and directly affects council members voting on environmental matters.