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HJ0008 • 2022

Educational freedom-constitutional amendment.

A JOINT RESOLUTION proposing to amend the Wyoming Constitution to authorize the legislature to appropriate funds to reimburse students for the costs of education received outside of public schools.

Education
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Representative Romero-Martinez
Last action
2022-02-18
Official status
inactive
Effective date
3/1/2022

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation incorrectly referenced Article 3, Section 36 instead of Article 13, Section 26 as per the official bill text.

Amending the Constitution for Educational Freedom

This resolution proposes to change the Wyoming Constitution to allow the state legislature to reimburse students for educational expenses if they choose not to attend public school.

What This Bill Does

  • Proposes an amendment to Article 13, Section 26 of the Wyoming Constitution (noted as Article 3, Section 36 in the candidate explanation).
  • Allows the legislature to reimburse students for educational expenses if they choose not to attend public school.
  • Limits reimbursement to costs that would have been covered by public education and does not apply to out-of-state or non-K-12 education.
  • Does not require the legislature to provide such reimbursements.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Students aged six (6) to twenty-one (21) years old in Wyoming
  • The state legislature of Wyoming

Terms To Know

Reimbursement
Money given back to someone for expenses they have already paid.
Constitutional amendment
A change made to a country's or state’s constitution.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The proposal does not guarantee that the legislature will provide reimbursements.
  • It only applies to education within Wyoming and grades K-12.

Bill History

  1. 2022-02-18 House

    H Did not Consider for Introduction

  2. 2022-02-16 House

    H Received for Introduction

  3. 2022-02-16 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
22LSO-0403
2022
STATE OF WYOMING
22LSO-0403
Numbered
2.0

House Joint Resolution NO. HJ0008

Educational freedom-constitutional amendment.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Romero-Martinez, Burt, Hallinan, Nicholas and Wilson and Senator(s) Ellis

A JOINT RESOLUTION

for

A JOINT RESOLUTION proposing to amend the Wyoming Constitution to authorize the legislature to appropriate funds to reimburse students for the costs of education received outside of public schools.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING,
two-thirds of all the members of the two houses, voting separately, concurring therein:

Section 1.

The following proposal to amend Wyoming Constitution, Article 3, Section 36 is proposed for submission to the electors of the State of Wyoming at the next general election for approval or rejection to become
valid as a part of the Constitution if ratified by a majority of the electors at the election:

Article 3, Section 36.

Prohibited appropriations; education choice.

(a)

Except as otherwise provided in this section, n
o appropriation shall be made for charitable, industrial, educational or benevolent purposes to any person, corporation or community not under the absolute control of the state, nor to any denominational or sectarian institution or association.

(b)

Nothing in this section or any other provision of this constitution shall prohibit an appropriation to reimburse youth of the state, between the ages of six (6) and twenty-one (21) years, for the costs of receiving an education of their choice in Wyoming instead of attending public school. This subsection shall not apply to the appropriation of school funds. Nothing in this subsection shall require the legislature to offer or provide reimbursement for costs of education outside of a public school. If reimbursement is
provided by the legislature for costs of education under this section, the reimbursement shall not exceed the cost that the state would have incurred if the child had attended public school and no reimbursement shall be provided if the child is not eligible to attend public school. This subsection shall not authorize the reimbursement of any expenses for education costs that are provided outside of Wyoming or for education that is provided outside of grades kindergarten through grade twelve (12).

Section 2.

That the Secretary of State shall endorse the following statement on the proposed amendment:

The adoption of this amendment would authorize, but would not require, the legislature to appropriate funds to reimburse students for the costs of education that is provided outside of public schools. If reimbursement for educational costs is provided, reimbursement would not be authorized for any costs above the costs of public education and would not be authorized for students who are not eligible to attend public school including students who are receiving education outside
of Wyoming or for education outside of grades kindergarten through grade twelve (12).

(END)

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