Education committee sponsors bill to extend charter application review window

A legislative committee on Friday voted to sponsor legislation that would loosen statutory deadlines for charter school application review and give authorizers more time to vet proposals. The bill, cited in committee as 26LSO0194 (also referenced as 25LSO0194), would eliminate a 30‑day statutory deadline to determine application completeness, remove a set deadline for holding public hearings, and lengthen the final approval/denial period from 90 days to 120 days. Committee members also approved an amendment clarifying the bill—s effective and applicability dates.

The measure was introduced to the Education Committee by Allison Phillips of the Legislative Service Office (LSO), who told members the draft incorporated amendments recommended by the Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board and amends Wyoming statutory citations related to charter authorizing procedures. LSO staff noted that the draft did not change an existing renewal deadline in statute (referenced in the staff memo as "21 3 3 0 5 f").

John Waller, executive director of the Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board, and Janine Daitowski, the board—s chair, testified in support. Waller said the longer review period would allow more thorough evaluations without materially delaying schools— openings, and that the board expected several new applications this cycle (a best estimate of three to six applications). "By lengthening the review period, authorizers have the necessary time to conduct more thorough evaluations and facilitate meaningful discussions with applicants," Waller said.

Stakeholders representing school districts also backed the draft. Brian Farmer, executive director of the Wyoming School Boards Association, told the committee the change would benefit both district‑ and state‑authorized charters and noted that Department of Education administrative rules (chapter 32) already set an application window of March 1–31 that helps authorizers plan.

Dickey Shaner of the Department of Education said the state superintendent supports the bill and that making the act effective upon the governor—s signature could allow the new rules to apply during the March application window next year. Leslie Zimmerscheid of WDE reviewed fiscal tables for the three state‑authorized charter schools and explained a first‑year lease/O&M modeling issue that accounts for higher first‑year facility payments.

Committee members asked procedural questions about when the application "clock" begins and whether the new 120‑day total includes earlier steps; LSO and Waller confirmed the revised timeline would encompass prior steps formerly listed separately in statute. Lawmakers also discussed whether to delay the change until the regular session; Waller and board leadership said they preferred an earlier effective date to prepare for an apparently busy application year.

Following discussion, Senator [name recorded in roll] offered an amendment making the act effective upon all acts necessary to bring it into law and Representative Lolli offered a friendly amendment clarifying applicability (committee members referenced March 1 in the friendly amendment). The amendment was passed by voice vote. On roll call for sponsorship in the 2026 session the committee recorded 13 ayes and 1 excused.

What happens next: The committee voted to sponsor the bill for the 2026 session with the adopted amendment; the bill will be carried into the regular session and scheduled for further floor or committee action there. No final policy changes take effect until the statutory enactment process is completed and the effective date in law has passed or the law takes effect on signature.

Sources: LSO presentation; testimony from John Waller, Janine Daitowski (Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board); Department of Education memos and testimony; Wyoming School Boards Association.