Rep. Tom Walters

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 summaryHB 141 requires Wyoming's land board to verify if oil and gas lease applicants meet defined qualifications before issuing new leases on state lands. If the highest bidder is unqualified, the board must consider the next highest bid instead. Unqualified applicants face a civil penalty equal to their bid amount, recoverable by the attorney general. The law applies only to new leases and does not affect existing agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 46 sets a 150-day timeline for resolving most cases in Wyoming's chancery court, requiring courts to settle the majority of complex civil disputes within 150 days of issuing a scheduling order. It directly affects parties filing disputes in chancery court (typically handling business, real estate, or contract cases) by establishing a concrete deadline for case resolution. The law applies to all chancery court cases filed on or after July 1, 2024, and becomes effective on that date.

Maddy summaryHB 66 requires Wyoming's workers' compensation program to provide annual cancer screenings for firefighters who have worked at least 10 years, including paid, volunteer, and municipal firefighters. It mandates specific screenings: annual mammograms for female firefighters, colon cancer screenings (including stool tests or colonoscopies), and prostate screenings for male firefighters, plus other screenings for cancers more common among firefighters. These screenings are considered work-related injuries under workers' compensation, covering up to 10 years after retirement. The bill creates a new "Aaron Booker Firefighter Cancer Screening Act" and amends existing statutes to implement these benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Wyoming to issue separate hunting licenses and establish distinct hunting seasons for mule deer and whitetail deer. It directly affects hunters of both species, including residents and nonresidents who purchase licenses, by mandating separate management under state wildlife regulations. The key mechanism involves amending existing laws to create new rules for license issuance, season scheduling, and preference point systems specific to each deer type. This change aims to improve wildlife management by allowing targeted conservation efforts for each species, without altering license fees or quotas.

Maddy summaryHB 54 designates the third Tuesday in May as "Wyoming Reads Day" to recognize efforts supporting early childhood literacy, primarily honoring John and Sue Jorgensen. The bill requires public schools, state/local governments, and organizations to appropriately observe the day through celebrations that promote reading. It mandates the governor issue an annual proclamation for the observance but explicitly states the day does not authorize school or business closures, nor affect legal agreements or court proceedings. This is a ceremonial measure with no new funding or regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 63) creates a property tax exemption for single-family homes. It exempts homeowners from paying tax on any increase in their home's assessed value that exceeds 5% over the previous year's value. The exemption does not apply if the home was recently renovated, added to, or purchased within the last year. Tax assessment notices must now include details about this exemption and how it affects the homeowner's tax bill. The exemption applies starting with the 2024 tax year.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 85) removes the sales tax on electricity sales to public utilities and providers for domestic, industrial, or commercial use in Wyoming. It directly affects electricity providers and consumers by eliminating this tax, but only if Wyoming imposes a 3.5% tax on the annual gross energy earnings from electricity produced in the state. The key provision requires an equivalent alternative tax on electricity production to take effect alongside the sales tax repeal. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2024, if passed.

Maddy summaryHB 187 amends Wyoming's rules for historic horse racing permits, directly affecting racetracks and gambling facilities seeking simulcast wagering licenses. It sets minimum requirements: each live racing day must include at least six races with six horses per race, and permits are limited to no more than 50 electronic betting devices per qualifying racing day. Facilities failing to meet the required racing days in a year must reduce their betting devices by 50 for each day short in the following year. The bill also requires permits to have at least 20 betting devices and aims to balance economic viability with fair access for all stakeholders. It takes effect July 1, 2024.