Sen. Stephan Pappas

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 100 requires insurers and their intermediaries to pay pharmacies within 21 days for electronic pharmacy claims and 30 days for non-electronic claims, provided the claim is "clean" (complete with all required documentation). If payment isn't made on time, insurers must pay 18% annual interest. The bill defines "clean claims" as those without deficiencies, mandates insurers to notify pharmacies of missing information within 10-15 days, and prohibits insurers from charging pharmacies fees for payment processing. This applies to all pharmacy benefit contracts and takes effect July 1, 2024.

Maddy summarySF 113 creates a new misdemeanor offense for drivers who ignore road closures specifically designed for light and high profile vehicles (such as large trucks or buses). Violators face a $2,500 fine paid immediately upon conviction, and the offense is classified as reckless driving for commercial driver's license purposes. This violation can lead to a 90-day license suspension for a first offense, six months for a second within five years, or permanent license revocation after two prior violations in that period. The bill applies to all drivers of such vehicles who disregard closure signs and takes effect July 1, 2024.

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 summarySF 102 prohibits foreign entities designated as "foreign adversaries" (including governments or companies from specified countries) from owning or acquiring real property within 10 miles of critical infrastructure or military installations in Wyoming. It requires such entities to divest property within 8 months of notice, with court-ordered sales and forfeiture of proceeds to the state if they fail to comply. The law mandates registration of foreign ownership with the Secretary of State, requires inclusion of ownership prohibitions in tax documents, and defines key terms like "critical infrastructure" and "significant interest" (25%+ ownership). These provisions apply directly to foreign governments, their entities, or U.S. entities controlled by them, aiming to protect infrastructure security through enforceable ownership restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution proposes amending Wyoming's constitution to prohibit foreign adversaries of the U.S. and foreign entities deemed a national security threat by the legislature from owning, using, or inheriting property in Wyoming. It would block these entities from holding any real estate, mineral rights, or other property interests, including surface and subsurface rights. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election to take effect as part of the state constitution. (Note: This is a constitutional amendment proposal, not a law, and has not yet been enacted.)

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 114 reauthorizes a program that helps teachers in shortage areas repay student loans by teaching in specific subjects. It targets educators in special education, math, science, world languages, reading, or English as a second language who complete teacher training at the University of Wyoming. Participants can repay loans without cash by teaching at least 50% of their time in these subjects for two years after graduation. The bill appropriates $2 million (2024-2026) for the program, with 15% allocated for administration. Annual reports will track the program's impact on teacher shortages in targeted areas.

Maddy summaryHB 82 (Wyoming) creates a tax credit program to encourage property owners to improve abandoned or nuisance buildings in cities and towns. It allows local governments to designate properties as "abandoned" (vacant >6 months) or "nuisance" (deteriorated structures) for tax credit eligibility, with limits based on city size (e.g., max 3 designations for towns under 15,000 residents). Property owners can claim up to 50% of demolition costs or 100% of improvement costs within 2 years (or 5 years for new owners) by submitting proof to the city for approval. The bill failed to pass in the 2024 legislative session (H Failed Introduction on Feb 14, 2024) and remains a proposed framework, not enacted law.

Maddy summaryHB 113 increases scholarship amounts for Wyoming's Hathaway program, directly affecting eligible students pursuing degrees or certificates at participating institutions. The bill raises semester awards for three scholarship tiers: Opportunity ($882, up from $840), Performance ($1,323, up from $1,260), and Honor ($1,764, up from $1,680) for full-time students meeting specific GPA and standardized test score criteria. Need-based scholarships also see updated calculations, with a minimum $110 per semester and increased caps for unmet financial need. The changes apply to students qualifying under existing Hathaway program standards, effective July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that criminal history records must be shared with Wyoming's Board of Occupational Therapy for background checks. It specifically requires criminal justice agencies to send this information directly to the board when verifying the background of currently licensed occupational therapists or those applying for a compact privilege under the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. The bill modifies existing law to explicitly state that this disclosure is permitted for these purposes, without creating new requirements or changing licensing standards. It affects licensed occupational therapists and their assistants seeking to practice across state lines under the compact.

Maddy summarySF 83 modifies how Wyoming school districts and charter schools manage leased K-12 facilities. It requires lease agreements to separately track and report funds dedicated to major facility maintenance, ensuring these funds are used only for that purpose and not diverted elsewhere. Districts must get approval before spending maintenance funds, and they can be reimbursed if leased space isn't counted in square footage calculations for maintenance funding. The bill applies to all districts leasing facilities and takes effect July 1, 2023.