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Family testimony and insurers clash as committee vets raising governmental‑claims cap to $1 million
Summary
Representative Smith introduced the "Christian Smith Safety Act" to raise the governmental claims cap from $250,000 to $1 million and add a CPI escalator. Family testimony described catastrophic injuries and rising bills, while the state risk office and municipal groups warned of added annual costs (estimated $900,000–$1,000,000) and higher premiums for local governments; the committee discussed tiered approaches and scheduled additional work.
Representative Smith presented House Bill 62 to raise the statutory cap on governmental claims from $250,000 to $1,000,000 and to include an automatic CPI‑based escalator. He said the statutory cap has not kept pace with inflation and told the committee the change reflects modern medical costs and insurance realities.
Parker Smith, who identified himself as a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper and the parent of Christian Smith, gave emotional testimony about a Feb. 12, 2025 crash in which a county snowplow struck his family's car and severely injured his son. "I just got a $66,000 bill in the mail," Parker Smith said while recounting ongoing surgeries, a traumatic brain injury and continuing medical…
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