All Roll Calls
Yes: 291 • No: 272
WyomingHB 1992025 General SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT relating to education; modifying the education savings accounts program; changing the name of the program to the steamboat legacy scholarship act; creating the steamboat legacy scholarship program account; modifying definitions; increasing the maximum scholarship award; modifying eligibility requirements; repealing provisions; providing appropriations; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.
Sponsored By: Ocean Andrew (Republican)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 4 mixed.
More scholarship money for Wyoming families
Wyoming renames its education savings account program the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act. Beginning in school year 2025–2026, the annual award is $7,000 per eligible student, with payments made quarterly. For one eligibility group, the household income limit rises from 150% to 250% of the federal poverty level. That limit depends on household size and does not apply to both eligibility groups.
Families can fund private online learning
Participating families can use scholarship money for tuition and fees at nongovernmental online learning programs. This adds an allowed use of their existing award, not a separate payment for online learning.
Administrative costs can reduce family scholarships
The superintendent can withhold scholarship deposits for administration only after finding it necessary. The limit is 5% annually during the program's first two school years and 3% annually afterward. Withholding reduces the money deposited for families, but the law does not require the maximum deduction.
Scholarship priority for returning students and siblings
When applications exceed available money, awards follow a first-come, first-served process with priority for returning students and qualifying siblings. Returning students must have received funds in the immediately preceding school year. Siblings qualify if another sibling receives funds when they apply or received funds in the immediately preceding school year. These preferences can leave fewer awards for applicants without priority. A student found free from personal misconduct keeps future eligibility after placement with a different parent or legal caregiver.
Families cannot fund after-school childcare
Families cannot use scholarship money for after-school childcare. Tuition and fees for specialized after-school education programs remain covered. Summer education programs also remain an allowed use.
Families face limits on scholarship claims
The state, superintendent, public schools, and school districts do not incur liability based on scholarship awards or their use. This limits families' claims against those public bodies for related harm. Eligible families retain their right to intervene in legal challenges to the program.
Learning requirements for scholarship families and providers
Parents must sign an agreement to use scholarship money only for allowed education expenses. For one eligibility group, it requires reading, writing, math, civics, history, literature, science, and academic progress checks. Civics includes the U.S. and Wyoming Constitutions; instruction conflicting with the parent's or student's religious beliefs is not required. The superintendent must certify providers to ensure students receive the required subjects throughout kindergarten through grade 12. Prekindergarten providers must prepare children for kindergarten.
Scholarship misuse checks protect funds, risk payments
The superintendent can investigate intentional and substantial misuse, withhold suspected misused funds, and stop payments when misuse is found. Suspected misuse can be referred to auditors; fraud evidence allows referral to law enforcement and the attorney general. Accounts stay active unless a parent withdraws the student, eligibility ends, or substantial misuse leads to closure. Money left in accounts closed for misuse returns to the program account. Parents and students can appeal final decisions under Wyoming's Administrative Procedure Act.
State scholarship funding grows with local limits
The law creates a dedicated state treasury scholarship account, administered by the superintendent, and provides $30 million from the general fund. Investment earnings and year-end money not committed or owed stay in the account for future scholarships. The superintendent can accept gifts and grants for scholarships, administration, and public information, but contributions are not guaranteed. County, city, and school district tax money cannot fund the program. The Legislature states its intent to include the appropriation in the education department's next two-year standard budget.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ocean Andrew
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Abby Angelos
Republican • House
John Bear
Republican • House
Marlene Brady
Republican • House
Gary Brown
Republican • House
Lee Filer
Republican • House
Jeremy Haroldson
Republican • House
Scott Heiner
Republican • House
Paul Hoeft
Republican • House
Christopher Knapp
Republican • House
Jayme Lien
Republican • House
Ann Lucas
Republican • House
Darin McCann
Republican • House
Chip Neiman
Republican • House
Pepper Ottman
Republican • House
J.R. Riggins
Republican • House
Rachel Rodriguez-Williams
Republican • House
Daniel Singh
Republican • House
Scott Smith
Republican • House
Joe Webb
Republican • House
Nina Webber
Republican • House
Robert Wharff
Republican • House
John Winter
Republican • House
Bo Biteman
Republican • Senate
Brian Boner
Republican • Senate
Evie Brennan
Republican • Senate
John Kolb
Republican • Senate
Dan Laursen
Republican • Senate
Jared Olsen
Republican • Senate
Senator Pearson
Affiliation unavailable
Charles Scott
Republican • Senate
Senator Smith, D
Affiliation unavailable
Cheri Steinmetz
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/27/2025
H Adopted HB0199JC001: 42-19-1-0-0
Yes: 42 • No: 19
Senate vote • 2/27/2025
S Adopted HB0199JC001: 21-8-2-0-0
Yes: 21 • No: 8
House vote • 2/20/2025
H Concur:Failed 14-41-7-0-0
Yes: 14 • No: 41
Senate vote • 2/19/2025
S 3rd Reading:Passed 20-11-0-0-0
Yes: 20 • No: 11
Senate vote • 2/18/2025
Amendment adopted 26-5-0-0-0
Yes: 26 • No: 5
Senate vote • 2/18/2025
Amendment adopted 21-10-0-0-0
Yes: 21 • No: 10
Senate vote • 2/13/2025
S02 - Appropriations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 4-1-0-0-0
Yes: 4 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/12/2025
S04 - Education:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 3-2-0-0-0
Yes: 3 • No: 2
House vote • 1/29/2025
H 3rd Reading:Passed 39-21-2-0-0
Yes: 39 • No: 21
House vote • 1/29/2025
Amendment failed 20-39-3-0-0
Yes: 20 • No: 39
House vote • 1/29/2025
Amendment failed 24-36-2-0-0
Yes: 24 • No: 36
House vote • 1/29/2025
Amendment failed 17-42-3-0-0
Yes: 17 • No: 42
House vote • 1/28/2025
Amendment failed 25-36-1-0-0
Yes: 25 • No: 36
House vote • 1/23/2025
H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 6-1-0-0-0
Yes: 6 • No: 1
House vote • 1/22/2025
H04 - Education:Recommend Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Assigned Chapter Number 107
3/4/2025Governor Signed HEA No. 0052
3/4/2025GovernorS President Signed HEA No. 0052
2/28/2025SenateH Speaker Signed HEA No. 0052
2/28/2025HouseAssigned Number HEA No. 0052
2/27/2025S Appointed JCC01 Members
2/21/2025SenateH Appointed JCC01 Members
2/20/2025HouseH Concur:Failed 14-41-7-0-0
2/20/2025HouseH Received for Concurrence
2/19/2025HouseS 3rd Reading:Passed 20-11-0-0-0
2/19/2025SenateS 2nd Reading:Passed
2/18/2025SenateS COW:Passed
2/14/2025SenateS Placed on General File
2/13/2025SenateS02 - Appropriations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 4-1-0-0-0
2/13/2025Senate:Rerefer to S02 - Appropriations
2/12/2025SenateS04 - Education:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 3-2-0-0-0
2/12/2025SenateS Introduced and Referred to S04 - Education
2/10/2025SenateS Received for Introduction
1/30/2025SenateH 3rd Reading:Passed 39-21-2-0-0
1/29/2025HouseH 2nd Reading:Passed
1/28/2025HouseH COW:Passed
1/27/2025HouseH Placed on General File
1/23/2025HouseH02 - Appropriations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 6-1-0-0-0
1/23/2025House:Rerefer to H02 - Appropriations
1/22/2025HouseH04 - Education:Recommend Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0
1/22/2025House
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
Introduced
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