Lawley opposed runoff election bill, county clerks voice concern

State Representative Martha Lawley (R-Worland) discussed her opposition to House Bill 249 – Runoff Elections, which proposes two primary elections.
HB 249 passed the House last week and is now in the Senate Corporations Committee.

According to the bill, the first primary election would be in May for the US House, Senate, and statewide offices, and another in August for legislative and local races. It includes a provision for a runoff election during the August primary if necessary, after the May primary. The caveat would be if no candidate for the top five elected state officials and any federal office does not receive more than 50% of the vote.

Lawley voted no after hearing concerns raised by county clerks about procedural issues and the potential impact on voter turnout due to having two separate primary elections. The bill passed out of the House 38-22. Area representatives in favor were Rep. Dalton Banks (R-Cowley) and Rep. John Winter (R-Thermopolis).

PROPERTY TAXES

Lawley noted that the Senate has taken no action on HB 169, Homeowner tax exemption-2025
and 2026. She expressed concerns about the bill’s proposed 50% property tax exemption, questioning its rationale and potential impacts on local services. She voted against HB 169 on Jan. 23 due to insufficient support for the exemption percentage and its low backfill provision for lost revenue to local governments.
Currently, the House is working on Senate File 69, which proposes a 50% tax reduction with no
backfill, although the Senate provided funding in their budget bill. 

Lawley said, “The House is going through various amendments to make the bill more workable.”

 The bill was scheduled for third reading last week but it was laid back until Tuesday, Feb. 18. Lawley said Monday that there were five third-reading amendments on file. “So we still have a lot of work to do on this bill.”

As it stood before Tuesday’s action, SF 69 introduces a targeted 50% exemption of the increase in assessed valuation from 2019-2024. Lawley said, “This is a more targeted relief to homeowners based on the actual increases in assessed valuations each county experienced during 2019-2024. The Wyoming Department of Revenue will calculate and publish the average increase in assessed valuation in residential property for each county from 2019-2024.”

Additionally, the House has amended SF 69 to include a partial backfill for revenue losses to counties and special districts, while excluding those with the longtime homeowner exemption.
According to Lawley, some Senate Files that residents should be aware of include: 

 SF 0072-SUMMER VACATION
PRESERVATION ACT

This bill mandates a summer vacation schedule for
public schools. Lawley said, “I believe this is the role of local school districts and support that local control. School districts in our area give parents options and allow them to choose which schedule they prefer. This is why I voted no on this bill when it was presented in the Education Committee. “The bill is waiting on General File.

 SF 0020-OIL & GAS
BONDING-OPTIONS AND 

The bill passed second reading in the House on Friday. Lawley said she helped work on the bill during the interim “It was necessitated due to a recent exorbitant increase by the Biden Administration in bonding requirements for oil and gas producers operating on federal lands. SF 20 provides relief to all Wyoming producers and is very consequential, particularly for small oil and gas producers who produce approximately 30% of the industry’s state taxes. Left unaddressed this drastically increased federal bonding requirement would have driven many small producers out of business.”

 SF 125-DEFINING HEALTHCARE & PROTECTING THE PEOPLE’S WELFARE 

This legislation clarifies that
abortion is not considered health care in Wyoming. Lawley said she supports the bill that is currently assigned to the House Labor Committee.

SF 98-SCHOOL BROAD
TRUSTEES-PARTY AFFLICATION

The bill requires candidates for school board
trustees to declare their party affiliation on the ballot. “I have had many people from District 27 contact me who are against this bill. They believe that it will create more political polarization in our rural communities,” Lawley said.

UPDATES

Regarding Lawley’s individual bills, she said she has received mostly positive feedback on her bills but expects questions and potential amendments during the Senate committee process. She noted that there is some concern regarding the right to sue the government for financial damages related to HB 72, which will be discussed in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

HB 0072-THE PROTECTING WOMAN’S PRIVACY IN PUBIC SPACES

    It was introduced in the Senate,
referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, and should be heard on Thursday, Feb. 20HB 41, Environmental Quality Irrevocable Letters of Credit, passed the Senate on second reading with third and final reading slated for Tuesday, Feb. 18.

HB 42,-REGULATION OF SURGICAL ABORTIONS 

This bill was introduced in the Senate and has been referred to
the Senate Labor Committee. 

HB 43-CONCERNING AGE VERIFICATION FOR WEBSIDES WITH HARMFUL MATERIAL 

 The bill was introduced in the
Senate and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. It should be heard on Thursday,
Feb. 20.

HB 60-REGARDING STUDENTS
ELIBIBLITY IN SPORTS 

It is currently before the Senate Education Committee. Lawley anticipates this bill will be discussed next week.

WYOMING FREEDOM
SCHOLARSHIP ACT

Regarding the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, House Bill 199. The bill will give 47.2% of public-school foundation program funds to the Freedom Scholarship Act to provide scholarships for those opting out of public school system.

The Senate approved on Committee of the Whole on Friday. Lawley said amendments are proposed for second reading Tuesday and possibly on third reading. noted that the bill had its second reading Feb. 18, with proposed amendments.

DARK MONEY 

Regarding “dark money” from groups outside of Wyoming trying to influence legislators’ votes on the bill, Lawley said, “I do know that, in general, there are many out-of-state groups with a lot of money to spend in Wyoming on issues that benefit them. My concern with these groups is that their money and influence may be drowning out the voices of our constituents. No matter what the issue, it is very troubling to me that this is happening. I represent the people of House District 27. That is who I am trying to listen to and do my best to represent. As to HB 199, I have heard that a lot of out-of-state money is being spent by organizations that might benefit if that bill passes. But they are not who I am listening to.”