[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6684407,"mediaKeyId","2380627-87f2b016d6502e895e7099854d8ed541","parentId",2380627,"title","Senate committee recommends ‘do not pass’ on bill to make University of Wyoming trustees elected","audioSeconds",1927,"startMs",5566445,"endMs",7493675,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2380627-87f2b016d6502e895e7099854d8ed541&start=5566&end=7493","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2380627-87f2b016d6502e895e7099854d8ed541/thumbnail_5566445.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6684407/Wyoming/Senate-committee-recommends-do-not-pass-on-bill-to-make-University-of-Wyoming-trustees-elected","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6684407-235c673ebcffc0eb597328f4a1074892/orig.mp4?Expires=1776695612&Signature=m2985mh3JZXCc75VT8llALMHT3wYjUqhbvzdwaau379OrKxo1nBsEc7zdkMh1gk8B7tbcEt0LoOKJnfblUpiSnIXKB-pqXkrgMSz3Cq8gvIF-kVLAIanc21AGBB0JILqgn7YwXdnChEHJmCvBOgnkWc9t3OQ5g~338POMDoZGPV87AMva3JrvUJn1SltSHwY9NqklHH4MvlZUciKcfjLg4GFzBrwLeTraeN0XmdxTQ3-0F1cg01m5iLxJIQxsS-CRorZyyFRyZrSm7CPIGCgJm-Cu9JZraSvLBitULhvoXXUGGcj53v-Z5H1Atwe~x05Qt5JxUacCBrg14NstmAQfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wyoming Legislature","date","2025-02-24T16:38:55.723Z","article","The Senate Education Committee voted to recommend that House Bill 148 not pass after a lengthy debate that centered on constitutional constraints and governance questions.

Representative Rachel Rodriguez Williams sponsored HB 148, which proposed increasing the University of Wyoming board from an appointed board to a 19‑member board with 14 voting trustees (seven appointed by the governor and seven elected from judicial appointment districts) and five ex‑officio nonvoting trustees. Representative Rodriguez Williams framed the bill as an effort to expand public representation and accountability at the state’s land‑grant university.

The governor’s chief of staff, Drew Perkins, appeared for the Office of the Governor and relayed the administration’s legal concern: he cited Article 7, Section 17 of the Wyoming Constitution and advised that the clause “consisting of not less than seven members, to be appointed by the governor” is textually clear and that the provision has been construed to mean appointment authority vests with the governor. Perkins told the committee the governor’s office regards the measure as inconsistent with the constitution.

Committee discussion focused on constitutional construction. Some senators said the text and punctuation of Article 7, Section 17 unambiguously require appointment by the governor and that a change of this kind would require a constitutional amendment rather than a statutory change. Representatives of public groups gave mixed testimony: the Wyoming Farm Bureau said its members value elected boards but also urged adherence to the constitution and suggested an opinion from the attorney general would clarify the path forward. Witnesses for and against the idea argued over whether elected trustees would improve representation or create unwieldy governance.

After debate the committee voted to report HB 148 to the Senate with a recommendation that it do not pass. A roll‑call vote recorded three ayes for the do‑not‑pass recommendation and two no votes (committee split). The committee noted opponents' constitutional concerns and requested that those constitutional questions be resolved before further action on governance changes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Education Committee, February 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Education Committee recommended a do‑not‑pass for House Bill 148, which proposed expanding the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees to include seven elected trustees. Committee members and the governor’s office cited constitutional language assigning appointment authority to the governor.","taxTitle","Education Committee, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming","taxId",61168,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6684411,"Committee lifts cap on state‑authorized charter approvals, with committee amendments",4035,1499870,5535650,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2380627-87f2b016d6502e895e7099854d8ed541&start=1499&end=5535","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2380627-87f2b016d6502e895e7099854d8ed541/thumbnail_1499870.jpg","/articles/6684411/Wyoming/Committee-lifts-cap-on-stateauthorized-charter-approvals-with-committee-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6684411-49c457d4518a4433e114fbe0469d3e6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776695612&Signature=lnJyYh94-i~5x3Djm8T0q4ZXWZbDuPvmrQ1OKEJmABxAuK8pAp45lBd4yzOqzSSshHWdxuXIACNkRl9jkcW9li~IdBRAIQfica~Wc0mwdRFm4JHSA3YqtrrB-ZGv~TPBrr9HFlB6AQRK9STTNDLajArKQp8tSZdKtL7kAhTIHuNnufurLhRc4gE3k-mUZgyFWm3RZNCEs9io7~LTjjU6NBwrQ~AmLYQdc7NXFkMuEn-uYH0yIbfpbUPqN9~7fOignWfYEm7MYAvN5O2V-TTbD9ExRfZaQVHf5Y7t4Ky50hdn6nkuBwLLI4e~KcC~oPDAL8QrIo5qjFoqt9Fr4ltvEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Education Committee recommended passage of House Bill 94, which removes the statutory cap that limited the number of state‑authorized charter schools the Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board may approve. The committee vote on the amended bill was 4 in favor, 1 opposed.

Representative Andrew, sponsor of HB 94, told the committee the bill accelerates the removal of the cap so the authorizing board can review applications now rather than waiting until 2028. “I think the authorizing board has only the capacity to approve so many,” the sponsor said, adding he does not expect a flood of new schools because authorizing boards review rigorous applications and approval timelines typically take about 18 months.

State Superintendent Megan Degenfelder testified in favor, saying arbitrary numeric caps are poor policy and that authorizing boards should exercise their expertise. “I am in favor of this bill,” she said, noting the full application‑to‑opening timeline can run about 18 months and that she did not expect a rapid surge of approvals.

Opponents and cautionary witnesses urged study and review. Tate Mullen of the Wyoming Education Association and Jeff Farmer of the Wyoming School Boards Association asked for interim study and analysis of fiscal impacts. Mullen told the committee a previous round of charter approvals produced an estimated $14.5 million increase to the school foundation account; he warned the cost would be ongoing. Farmer said the prior legislative compromise intentionally limited state‑authorized openings so the legislature could study outcomes before expanding authorizations.

Janine Batevski, chair of the Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board, said the board’s statutory responsibilities require review of each complete application and that the board has an executive director and staff; she said the board denied an application this year because she believed the applicant was not ready to move forward. Several charter leaders and applicants testified in favor, describing long application processes and local demand for additional options.

Committee members debated whether to remove the cap entirely or adopt a phased increase. The committee adopted a technical amendment to change effective dates (moving application window adjustments to a July 1 effective date) and ultimately approved HB 94 as amended. Roll call recorded 4 ayes, 1 no; the sponsor and supporters said LSO would make conforming changes for implementation.","The Senate Education Committee voted 4–1 to pass House Bill 94 as amended, removing the statutory cap on new state‑authorized charter school approvals and setting an effective date change to give the authorizing board immediate authority to consider applications.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6684415,"Committee backs change to cap state lease payments for oversized K‑12 charter facilities",314,1173140,1487825,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2380627-87f2b016d6502e895e7099854d8ed541&start=1173&end=1487","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2380627-87f2b016d6502e895e7099854d8ed541/thumbnail_1173140.jpg","/articles/6684415/Wyoming/Committee-backs-change-to-cap-state-lease-payments-for-oversized-K12-charter-facilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6684415-22195a6cbea6c3f5f80d44157d9fa80a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776695612&Signature=Cf8jwB5Y08bbW8MORauU~Xrn~SiXDsWZEly9Jp~uW5Ud71nzfKLa7Pmbc2RiKmswnqk3kUtlNAkfSqRTC8pQQo8fp4G0baIiQZpnbbWf5wagRY5WG4Yvb5zWTlWGRYz~AJTKq3oTlQd0FJBdB9Po~HDm-39R8b2l39wY7X-kJIH4GqUVUxomnG-K8Z2UiTI8a5r9tzSyZzlxk8M1xxd5XRK2Jg5t1tlUgNoci~qrYoOST-W-v8IPqrHEGiMjPlw2RPP3TGIpDMY-wbqzmtls0YvA-X-kb2Du2PdaXcR2fLE3qNkNDWV0bosBPdUF8iQEzW36GL4dnVBfO~b4maD-xQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Education Committee voted 4–0 (one excused) to recommend House Bill 20, a measure that changes how the state calculates payments for leased K‑12 facilities, most often used by charter schools.

The bill, sponsored by the Select Committee on School Facilities, directs the Department of Education to make lease payments equal to the lesser of the total lease cost or a payment based on the average market cost per square foot for comparable school facilities multiplied by an \"allowable square footage\" tied to student enrollment (ADM). Committee members said the change is intended to prevent a district or charter from receiving full lease reimbursement for an oversized facility that does not match the student population.

“[The bill] goes into an allowable square footage approach, which is what we do for schools,” a sponsor explained, saying the method creates parity with how the state funds school buildings and reduces the incentive to lease disproportionately large space for small student counts.

Senators asked whether charter operators could still lease a building that is larger than needed; sponsors confirmed they could, but the state reimbursement would be capped and excess costs would need to be covered by the charter or district. Committee members also confirmed that leased square footage does not generate additional major maintenance funding and that districts retain the right to request a state review of payment calculations.

No members of the public appeared to testify in opposition; no agency objections were recorded in committee. The measure passed the committee by roll call (4 ayes, 1 excused) and was recommended to the floor.","The Senate Education Committee approved House Bill 20 to cap state lease payments for K‑12 leased facilities by applying an \"allowable square footage\" calculation based on average cost per square foot and an allowable square footage tied to student counts rather than paying the full market lease for an oversized building.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6684417,"Senate panel advances Hathaway Scholarship amendment to cover long apprenticeships",1251,18585,1269715,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2380627-87f2b016d6502e895e7099854d8ed541&start=18&end=1269","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2380627-87f2b016d6502e895e7099854d8ed541/thumbnail_18585.jpg","/articles/6684417/Wyoming/Senate-panel-advances-Hathaway-Scholarship-amendment-to-cover-long-apprenticeships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6684417-13e16698a85583b69f57328b48754576/orig.mp4?Expires=1776695612&Signature=OEjrqnG0zvqCgxT2TLGQmGrIiMGo675IGgryW6zt-WKY0K64yi5kXZZuA-AA0t44HjICGhkI5-JoOasy757mwoRGzYSNn37V1DR4kEjxIDiHsBoJrS4GA8ExfRwuI4tFrLZXuX8Zblj~r1nGxTJOtSEtia2642Hd1H4EEaMtelOr0cpoKqkcdtJsI5tOEa~u0CtktjeLz7t3z5UKxOE9B3DA3nM8-0bcnmHRzCZN5PTHizeUPCQfGW-gXqlHSoSkXegCg159DX3UkYVbKW212r7JK6pAU~AmH6Vou7GhiZ-IgUKw7Hy7V6sgeARXAizTBl6nVjPspoIyFh3~0iGMDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Education Committee voted 4–0 (one excused) to pass House Bill 36, the Hathaway Scholarship Amendments, as amended, after testimony from the bill sponsor, Department of Education staff and representatives of community colleges.

The bill, sponsored in the House by Representative Lloyd Harshman and introduced in committee by Representative Harshman and discussed before the Senate Education Committee, would allow the Wyoming Department of Education and the Wyoming Community College Commission to adopt rules to treat longer-duration, graded on‑the‑job training programs — such as multi‑year electrical apprenticeship programs at Central Wyoming College — as eligible for Hathaway scholarship support even though individual semesters have fewer than the current six credit hours that define the part‑time baseline.

“This bill was brought to me by a constituent, has a kid in an electrician’s program,” Representative Lloyd Harshman said, describing programs in which students take a small number of credit hours each semester while doing required on‑the‑job training with a master electrician over four years. Harshman said the change would let the commission and the department “look at this and write rules.”

Wanda Maloney of the Wyoming Department of Education testified that Superintendent Megan Degenfelder supports career and technical education and supports the intent of the bill, but asked for time to review the large amendment. “The superintendent does support career and technical education,” Maloney said. Brad Barker of the Department of Education told the committee there is no flexibility in current rules to address how part‑time use of Hathaway dollars counts against a scholar’s eligibility: “There is not room in the rules to make that adjustment,” Barker said.

College representatives told the committee some noncredit and certificate programs — for example, CDL training or electrical apprenticeship — serve adult learners and can be short or spread over multiple semesters. Erin Taylor of the Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees and Dr. Lisa Watson, president of Northwest College, said the colleges and the department should work through rule language and suggested an interim study to gather more data.

Senators raised concerns that changing how part‑time awards are divided could “burn” a semester of scholarship eligibility (for example, treating a semester with three credits as using a full semester of Hathaway funds). Committee members agreed the amendment addressed the problem the bill sponsor sought to fix but noted the underlying statutory rule about dividing part‑time awards must be addressed separately in statute or via interim work.

After committee discussion the panel approved the amendment and passed HB 36 as amended. The committee record shows 4 ayes, 1 excused.

The committee and department agreed an interim study or further rule drafting with community colleges would help clarify implementation details such as how awards are pro‑rated across semesters and whether additional statutory change is needed.","The Senate Education Committee voted to pass House Bill 36 as amended to let the Department of Education and the Community College Commission write rules so Hathaway scholarship eligibility can account for multi‑year on‑the‑job apprenticeship programs that enroll students for fewer than six credit hours per semester.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee recommends ‘do not pass’ on bill to make University of Wyoming trustees elected

Committee lifts cap on state‑authorized charter approvals, with committee amendments

Committee backs change to cap state lease payments for oversized K‑12 charter facilities

Senate panel advances Hathaway Scholarship amendment to cover long apprenticeships