Sen. Bill Landen

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 111 authorizes community colleges to offer applied bachelor's degree programs (called "baccalaureate of applied science" degrees) for the first time. It requires the Community College Commission to approve all new such programs before they can receive state funding. The bill also updates the Hathaway scholarship program to cover these new degrees, allowing students to use scholarships for up to eight semesters to complete them while maintaining a 2.25 GPA. This directly affects community college students pursuing applied bachelor's degrees and the colleges offering them.

Maddy summaryHB 297 requires Wyoming school districts to implement a reading screening program for all kindergarten through third-grade students, including early checks for dyslexia and other reading difficulties. It mandates annual reporting on student progress toward an 85% goal for third graders reading at grade level, with schools failing to meet this target required to submit improvement plans addressing staffing ratios and evidence-based interventions. The law also directs the state superintendent to create supporting rules and provide direct assistance to schools developing these plans. This bill directly affects K-3 students, school districts, and educators by establishing standardized assessment, intervention, and accountability measures for early literacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the third week of September as "Wyoming Cowboy Legacy Week" to honor the cultural and historical significance of cowboys and cowgirls to Wyoming. It encourages schools to incorporate lessons about cowboy/cowgirl heritage and values into their curriculum, and asks the University of Wyoming to promote these symbols. The bill has no funding or regulatory changes - it is purely a symbolic recognition to foster community reflection on these traditions.

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 summaryHB 65 amends Wyoming's procurement rules to require school districts to follow the same competitive bidding processes as other public entities for professional services. It raises the threshold for mandatory competitive bidding from $25,000 to $50,000 for professional services like architecture or engineering, meaning school districts must now obtain bids for projects over this amount instead of $25,000. The bill also updates notification requirements for larger projects and clarifies when school boards must interview multiple firms for contracts. These changes directly affect school districts and public entities purchasing professional services, streamlining procurement for larger projects while maintaining competitive processes for significant contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 206 regulates video skill games in Wyoming by requiring vendors to obtain permits from the Liquor Division. It directly affects video game vendors (who must pay $5,000 for initial permits), qualified truck stops (the only allowed locations meeting specific size and service requirements), and local governments (which receive 4% of vendor revenue). Key provisions include setting a $2 maximum bet per play, $1,500 payout limit per play, and requiring games to return 88-95% of revenue over time. Vendors must also conduct background checks, submit game compliance reports, and place machines only in designated truck stops or businesses with existing licenses. The bill establishes a fund for administrative costs and mandates monthly revenue distribution to counties and municipalities based on population.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 103) expands and reorganizes Wyoming's oversight for state capital construction projects. It renames the "select committee on school facilities" to include community colleges and state capital construction, authorizes additional temporary members, and specifies the committee's expanded duties - including reviewing construction project designs and receiving annual reports from state agencies. The bill removes the requirement for quarterly committee meetings and updates statutes to clarify how the committee coordinates with the state building commission and legislative bodies on construction priorities and funding recommendations. This change directly affects the committee, state agencies managing facilities, and the legislative process for capital projects.

Maddy summaryHB 42 amends Wyoming's hunting license laws to establish a preference point system for resident and nonresident hunters seeking big game licenses (like moose, bighorn sheep, or elk). It allows the Game and Fish Commission to award points based on years of unsuccessful applications and adds a new provision (subsection j) granting one point to resident youth or first-time residents who complete a state-approved hunter safety course. The bill also authorizes nonresidents to pay a nonrefundable fee (up to $75 per species) to accumulate preference points for future license drawings. These changes apply specifically to licenses issued through preference point systems, not random drawings, and affect all hunters applying for limited-quota species in Wyoming.

Maddy summaryHB 138 clarifies sales tax payment rules for vendors in Wyoming. It protects vendors from liability if they paid tax to the wrong jurisdiction based on incorrect information from the state tax department. The bill creates a "local tax repayment account" to refund overpaid taxes to the correct local government, covering administrative costs with a 1% deduction. If the account holds $5 million or more, excess funds transfer to the state general fund. This bill, which died in committee in 2019, would have streamlined corrections for misplaced sales tax payments.

Maddy summaryHB 41 changes the title of the University of Wyoming board president to "president chairman" and allows the board's executive committee to have more than three members. It amends specific Wyoming statutes (including those governing board appointments and financial reporting) to update references to this new title and committee structure. The bill directly affects the governance of the University of Wyoming by formalizing this title change and providing flexibility for the executive committee size. It took effect on July 1, 2019, with no new policy or funding changes.