Sen. Charles Scott

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 summaryHB 194 requires Wyoming Medicaid to cover air ambulance transport services for all residents, addressing the high costs (up to $75,000) that often cause financial hardship. It mandates a capped copay (up to 20% of costs for non-Medicaid-eligible residents) and creates an "air ambulance coverage account" funded by insurer assessments. The bill also requires state agencies to cover air ambulance services through Medicaid, with claims processed retroactively within 90 days. This policy directly affects Wyoming residents needing emergency air transport and aims to prevent bankruptcy from unaffordable medical bills.

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 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 196 amends Wyoming law to limit county commissioners' authority over land divisions in unincorporated areas. It clarifies that counties cannot prevent residential or agricultural uses on land divisions already exempt from standard subdivision rules under state law. The bill specifically prohibits counties from imposing restrictions that conflict with these exemptions, ensuring developers and property owners can use exempt land for those purposes. The changes took effect on July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most Wyoming Medicaid recipients to work, attend school, or volunteer for at least 20 hours per week to maintain eligibility, beginning three months after initial approval. Exceptions apply to children under 18, seniors 65+, pregnant individuals, caregivers of young children or disabled dependents, and those in treatment programs. Failure to comply results in a 12-month loss of Medicaid coverage, with verification required every six months. The bill also prohibits similar work requirements for SNAP (food assistance) and mandates that any federal savings from approved waivers fund child care for employed Medicaid recipients.

Maddy summarySF 123 requires school districts to ensure that entities they fund - such as organizations receiving over 60% of their funding from state sources - comply with public records and meeting laws. School districts cannot use state funds to support entities that fail to meet these requirements, unless funds are only used to achieve compliance. The bill excludes labor unions, teacher professional organizations, and private businesses providing goods/services from these rules. This policy extends existing public transparency laws to entities controlled by school districts, aiming to increase accountability for publicly funded activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to shift responsibility for building school facilities from the state to local school districts, while establishing mandatory state funding to equalize local tax burdens. It requires districts to fund construction primarily through voter-approved bonds, with state aid ensuring that districts with lower property values pay no more in local taxes than the statewide average. The amendment also allows the state to provide optional hardship funds and maintains voter approval as the final decision for bond authorizations. This change responds to a 2001 court ruling that previously placed construction responsibility on the state, which the legislature says became unsustainable due to lost revenue sources.