Sen. Bill Landen

Maddy summaryHB 166 creates Wyoming's Education Savings Account (ESA) program, providing state-funded accounts for eligible students based on household income relative to federal poverty levels. Families with incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty level receive $5,000 annually, those between 250%-350% receive $3,000, and those between 350%-400% receive $1,000. Parents can use these funds for qualifying education expenses like tuition at approved schools, tutoring (excluding immediate family), textbooks, technology, uniforms, and standardized test fees. The Wyoming State Superintendent of Public Instruction will manage the program, with funds transferred to a dedicated expenditure account.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 69) increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for hospice care in Wyoming to match annual Medicare rates, directly affecting hospice providers serving Medicaid patients. It also limits room and board reimbursement for hospice facilities to no more than 100% of the statewide Medicaid nursing home rate. The bill appropriates $450,000 from the general fund to the Department of Health for these reimbursements, effective July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026. The changes aim to align state hospice funding with federal Medicare standards for eligible patients.

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 summarySF 90 creates a state-managed investment pool allowing Wyoming cities, towns, counties, school districts, and other local governments to pool their existing funds for equity investments (like stocks) through the state treasurer. Local entities must acknowledge investment risks in writing and cannot seek state reimbursement for losses. The state treasurer will set rules for fund transfers, withdrawals, minimum pool sizes, and fees covering only actual costs. This bill modifies existing investment rules (W.S. 9-1-419) without creating new government spending, effective July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 53 adds one additional district judge position to the sixth judicial district, increasing its total to four judges. The bill appropriates $1,240,728 for the 2024-2026 biennium to fund the new judge's salary, benefits, office equipment, and facilities. It requires the district to provide suitable facilities, including a courtroom for 12-person juries, and authorizes four full-time equivalent positions to support the new judge. The bill takes effect July 1, 2024, directly affecting court operations in the sixth judicial district.

Maddy summaryHB 86 requires towing and recovery services to request a title search from the Wyoming Department of Transportation (DOT) within five business days if a vehicle remains in a recovery lot for more than five days. The DOT must then identify the vehicle owner and any lienholders (such as banks or finance companies holding a financial claim on the vehicle) within 5 business days for Wyoming-registered vehicles or 7 days for out-of-state vehicles. Towing services must notify these lienholders of the vehicle's location within one business day after receiving the DOT's information. This law directly affects towing companies, vehicle owners, and lienholders by creating a clearer process for resolving vehicle repossessions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 79) allows small malt beverage manufacturers (producing 25,000 barrels or less annually) to terminate distribution agreements with distributors without needing a specific reason. It requires manufacturers to pay distributors compensation equal to the franchise’s fair market value plus the cost of inventory held in warehouses or transit. Disputes over compensation are resolved through binding arbitration under specific rules, with costs shared equally unless a good-faith estimate was made. The law takes effect July 1, 2024, applying to new agreements and renewals of existing ones after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wyoming's Department of Health to pay behavioral health service claims in the same manner as before a prior redesign, ensuring providers are reimbursed after billing private insurance or third parties. It mandates the department to collect data on payment claims and report findings to a legislative committee by September 2025, aiming to identify potential savings from improved third-party billing practices. The bill updates eligibility criteria for "indigent general access clients" to exclude those with insurance covering mental health or substance use treatment after July 2026, limiting coverage to low-income residents without such insurance. It directly affects behavioral health providers, the state health department, and qualifying low-income residents seeking mental health or substance use disorder treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires e-cigarette and vapor material manufacturers to certify their products meet U.S. FDA requirements (either via marketing authorization or premarket application) and submit this information to Wyoming's Department of Revenue by October 1, 2024, and annually after. It creates a public directory of compliant products, prohibiting the sale of any e-cigarettes or vapor products not listed in this directory starting October 2024. Sellers (including retailers, distributors, and wholesalers) must maintain records and comply with biannual inspections, with penalties including fines for false certifications or selling unlisted products.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 76) updates prostitution and solicitation laws by expanding the definition of prohibited acts to explicitly include "sexual contact" and "sexual intrusion" as defined in existing law. It affects individuals engaging in or soliciting commercial sexual acts, now covering specific acts previously not explicitly listed under these statutes. The bill maintains the same penalties: up to six months in jail, a $750 fine, or both for violations. The law becomes effective July 1, 2024.