Rep. Forrest Chadwick

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 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 summaryHB 143 modifies Wyoming law to allow family members or caregivers to provide behavior analysis services under the supervision of licensed professionals, without requiring their own license. It specifically permits unlicensed caregivers or family members to deliver assigned services (like implementing treatment plans) but prohibits them from designing assessments or using licensed titles like "behavior analyst." The bill also clarifies that licensed supervisors remain responsible for oversight, and specifies that family members can only serve recipients already under a licensed professional's care. The changes would take effect July 1, 2024, pending final passage.

Maddy summaryHB 205 creates a new legal framework for cities, towns, and counties in Wyoming to enter into development agreements with property owners. The bill requires these agreements to lock in existing zoning, building codes, and land use rules at the time of signing - meaning future changes to those rules won't override the agreement. Key provisions include specifying agreement duration, permitted land uses, building height limits, public facility requirements, and construction timelines. It also ensures agreements remain enforceable even if local land use plans change, and sets conditions for annexation of unincorporated land. This directly affects local governments, developers, and property owners by stabilizing development terms during project planning.

Maddy summarySF 104 amends Wyoming law to change how wind and solar energy facilities on state lands are permitted. It requires county commissioners to obtain written consent from grazing and agricultural leaseholders before approving such facilities, especially when projects are near residential structures (within specific distance limits). The bill mandates that leaseholders be notified about proposed projects and allows them to participate as formal parties in the permitting process. Additionally, it updates definitions to include leaseholders as "affected landowners" and sets clear setback requirements for facilities near homes.

Maddy summaryHB 108 creates new criminal offenses for assault, threats of violence, and battery specifically against healthcare providers while they are performing work duties. It defines "health care provider" and sets stricter penalties: misdemeanor charges (up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine) for first offenses, and felony charges (up to 3 years jail or $1,000 fine) for repeat offenses. The bill applies to anyone who knowingly commits these acts against providers during employment, including threats involving bodily injury, death, or $1,000+ property damage. It does not create new protections for providers but increases legal consequences for perpetrators. The bill failed introduction in the Wyoming House on February 14, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wyoming cities' and towns' requirements for public improvement contracts and property purchases. It removes the need to publish bid advertisements in newspapers, adjusts the threshold for requiring competitive bidding from $35,000 to $250,000 for vehicle purchases, and modifies the forms and amounts of financial guarantees (like bonds) required for contracts. The changes apply to all contracts initiated on or after July 1, 2023, directly affecting how municipalities procure construction, services, and property. The bill streamlines procurement processes while maintaining documentation requirements for cases where fewer than three bids are obtained.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 153 strengthens election security by requiring counties to audit up to 5% of ballots after each election to verify results. It changes absentee ballot distribution timelines (45 days before election for military voters, 28 days for others) and mandates that electronic voting systems maintain an "air gap" (physical isolation from networks/internet). The bill also requires election records and ballots to be transported in sealed, locked containers with unique numbered seals. A $100,000 appropriation funds county training and consultant services for implementation. These changes directly affect county clerks, election administrators, and electronic voting systems statewide.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 169 creates a 12-member task force to plan a state shooting complex. The task force includes state agency directors, two firearm industry representatives, a shooting sports organization member, a hunting conservation group representative, and legislative members appointed by leadership. It must develop location criteria, review existing facilities, create a request for proposals, and make recommendations by October 1 each year until June 2026. The bill appropriates $8.125 million from existing state funds (including $5 million from American Rescue Plan funds) specifically for the complex's siting and construction, with all funds required to be spent by the 2026 deadline.

Maddy summaryHB 229 allows Wyoming's Department of Revenue and county treasurers to collect sales and use taxes electronically. It updates tax filing rules to explicitly permit vendors (businesses selling taxable goods/services) and taxpayers to submit returns and pay taxes online or via electronic methods, rather than only by mail or in person. The bill specifically clarifies that county treasurers may accept electronic payments for vehicle registration taxes during initial registration. It does not change tax rates or obligations, only modernizing the payment process for existing requirements. This affects all businesses collecting sales tax and individuals purchasing taxable items in Wyoming.