HB0144 • 2023

Senior citizen district programs and services.

AN ACT relating to senior citizen service districts; specifying how senior citizen service revenues may be expended; specifying requirements for the provision of services and programs; and providing for an effective date.

Elections Taxes

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Representative Strock
Last action: 2023-03-09
Official status: enrolled
Effective date: 7/1/2023

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary and bill text do not provide specific details about public hearings or newspaper publications, leaving some uncertainty in these areas.

Senior Citizen Service District Programs and Services

This law changes how senior citizen service districts can spend their money, allows them to provide more services including mental health and dementia support, and requires voter approval for new programs after July 1, 2023.

What This Bill Does

Allows senior citizen service districts to use funds for real property or capital construction.
Adds mental health and dementia services as approved programs.
Requires a public vote before expanding district services after July 1, 2023.
Permits temporary expansion of services between July 1, 2023, and the next election if certain conditions are met.

Who It Names or Affects

Senior citizen service districts
Residents who vote in district elections

Terms To Know

Mill levy: A tax rate used by local governments to raise money for services and programs.
Ballot proposition: An item put before voters in an election to get their approval or rejection.

Limits and Unknowns

The law does not specify how much funding can be used for new programs.
It is unclear what happens if the ballot proposition for expanding services fails.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB0144H2001

2nd reading • Representative Neiman

Failed

Plain English: The amendment adds a new section that allows senior citizen service districts to expand their programs and services until the next ballot proposition for funding is held.

Adds a provision allowing senior citizen service district program expansions between the effective date of the act and the next ballot proposition on mill levy imposition.
Requires resident electors' approval through a ballot proposition before any further expansion can continue.

The amendment's text does not specify what happens if the ballot proposition is rejected by residents.

HB0144H2002

2nd reading • Representative Strock

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment changes the wording in a bill about senior citizen service districts by adding the word 'specifically' after another word.

Adds the word 'specifically' to clarify how revenues for senior citizen services can be designated.

The exact impact of this change is unclear without more context about what was originally meant by 'designated'.

HB0144H3001

3rd reading • Representative Neiman

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment adds a requirement that the expansion of senior citizen service district programs must be approved by voters before it can happen.

Adds a new section requiring any proposed expansion of services to be included on a ballot proposition and approved by resident electors before implementation.

The amendment does not specify what happens if the ballot proposition is rejected by voters.

HB0144H3002

3rd reading • Representative Henderson

Adopted

Plain English: This amendment changes the language in a bill about how senior citizen service districts can spend their money by reinserting previously deleted wording.

Reinserts the phrase 'The expansion of existing' into the bill text, which was previously stricken out.

The exact impact and context of this change are not fully explained in the provided amendment text.

HB0144H3003

3rd reading • Representative Zwonitzer, Dn

Corrected, Adopted

Plain English: The amendment adds a requirement that services and programs for senior citizens must be either run by the senior citizen service district itself or another government agency.

Adds language to ensure that any services provided under the bill are operated by either the senior citizen service district or another governmental entity.

HB0144H3004

3rd reading • Representative Strock

Failed

Plain English: The amendment changes how senior citizen service districts can use extra funds for program expansion, requiring resident approval before continuing the expansion.

Adds a new section allowing senior citizen service districts to use excess funds (more than 25% above necessary expenses) for expanding programs and services within a specific time frame.
Requires that any such expansions be included in future ballot propositions seeking resident elector approval before continuing.

The amendment text does not specify what happens if the expansion is not approved by residents, leaving this detail unclear.

HB0144JC001

Conference Committee

H Adopted, S Adopted

Plain English: The amendment changes how senior citizen service districts can expand their services by requiring voter approval for new programs or expansions after July 1, 2023.

Removes specific language about applicability and adds requirements for expanding services.
Adds a requirement that any expansion of services must be approved by voters through a ballot proposition.
Allows districts to provide additional services before the next mill levy vote if certain conditions are met, including holding public hearings and maintaining a minimum balance in their account.

The amendment's text is detailed and technical, making it challenging to summarize all aspects without oversimplifying or guessing at intent.

HB0144HS001

Standing Committee • House Revenue Committee

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment to HB0144 changes the language regarding senior citizen service districts by specifying how revenues can be used and adding requirements for mental health and dementia services.

Adds 'or services' after 'Programs' to clarify that both programs and services are covered under the bill.
Inserts 'mental health, dementia services,' after 'health,' to specify additional types of services that must be provided.

The amendment text does not provide details on how these changes will affect existing provisions or funding allocations.

HB0144SW001

Committee of the Whole • Senator Boner

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment requires that proposed senior citizen service district programs and services be included in ballot propositions, ensuring voter approval before implementation.

Adds a requirement for proposed senior citizen service district programs to be included on ballot propositions.
Specifies conditions under which additional programs or services can be provided by the district using existing revenues between July 1, 2023, and the next mill levy renewal election.
Limits the expansion of services to times when a new mill levy is proposed for voter approval.

The amendment text does not specify all details about how additional programs or services will be implemented between July 1, 2023, and the next election.
Some parts of the original bill are deleted but their exact content is not provided in the amendment.

HB0144SS001

Standing Committee • Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivi

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment adds new requirements and provisions for senior citizen service districts to designate programs and services, including a process for public input and financial considerations.

Adds a new paragraph (vii) in W.S. 18-15-104(b), allowing the district to propose programs and services that must be approved by resident electors through a ballot proposition.
Allows districts to designate proposed senior citizen service programs or services before submitting a mill levy ballot proposition, provided they meet certain conditions such as holding public hearings and maintaining financial reserves.
Requires districts to publish information about proposed programs or services in local newspapers at least one time within 30 days of the public hearing.

The amendment text does not specify all details, such as exact procedures for ballot propositions beyond requiring resident elector approval.

Bill History

2023-03-09 LSO
Assigned Chapter Number 162
2023-03-09 Governor
Governor Signed HEA No. 0090
2023-03-03 Senate
S President Signed HEA No. 0090
2023-03-02 House
H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0090
2023-03-02 LSO
Assigned Number HEA No. 0090
2023-02-27 Senate
S Appointed JCC01 Members
2023-02-27 House
H Appointed JCC01 Members
2023-02-27 House
H Concur:Failed 22-40-0-0-0
2023-02-23 House
H Received for Concurrence
2023-02-23 Senate
S 3rd Reading:Passed 17-14-0-0-0
2023-02-22 Senate
S 2nd Reading:Passed
2023-02-21 Senate
S COW:Passed
2023-02-17 Senate
S Placed on General File
2023-02-17 Senate
S07 - Corporations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0
2023-02-13 Senate
S Introduced and Referred to S07 - Corporations
2023-01-30 Senate
S Received for Introduction
2023-01-30 House
H 3rd Reading:Passed 56-3-3-0-0
2023-01-27 House
H 2nd Reading:Passed
2023-01-26 House
H COW:Passed
2023-01-24 House
H Placed on General File
2023-01-24 House
H03 - Revenue:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0
2023-01-18 House
H Introduced and Referred to H03 - Revenue
2023-01-17 House
H Received for Introduction
2023-01-16 LSO
Bill Number Assigned

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 23LSO-0636
Bill No.:

HB0144

Effective:

7/1/2023

LSO No.:

23LSO-0636

Enrolled Act No.:

HEA No. 0090

Chapter No.:

162

Prime Sponsor:

Strock

Catch Title:

Senior citizen district programs and services.

Subject:

Senior citizen service districts

Summary/Major Elements:

This act revises and clarifies how a senior citizen service district can expend the revenues of the district.

The act removes a provision that prohibited senior citizen service districts from expending funds for real property or capital construction and specifies additional programs and services that are authorized to be provided by a senior citizen service district.

The act requires a senior citizen service district that wants to expand services as authorized under the act to put the question of the expanded services on the ballot during the next election to renew the mill levy of the district. The act provides a process for a senior service district to expand services for the period beginning July 1, 2023 and ending on the date when the district is required to hold an election to renew its mill levy.

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

23LSO-0636

ORIGINAL House

ENGROSSED
Bill No
.
HB0144

ENROLLED ACT NO. 90,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2023 General Session

AN ACT relating to senior citizen service districts; specifying how senior citizen service revenues may be expended; specifying requirements for the provision of services and programs; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.

W.S. 18
‑
15
‑
111(a)(intro), (i), (ii) and by creating a new paragraph (iv) and by creating new subsections (c) and (d) is amended to read:

18
‑
15
‑
111.

Fund; disposition of revenue; contract requirements; expansion of the provision of services.

(a)

The revenues collected under the tax levy authorized by W.S. 18
‑
15
‑
110 shall be remitted by the county treasurer to the district to a separate account and shall be used solely for senior citizen programs or services authorized by this subsection and for the payment of bond premiums authorized by W.S. 18
‑
15
‑
108(b)
.
, but shall not be used for the purchase of real property or for capital construction expenditures.

For purposes of this section, s
enior citizen programs or services are limited to the following:

(i)

Establishment
, expansion, renovation, improvement
or maintenance of
programs or services for
facilities owned, occupied or to be occupied by
senior citizen centers
and operational expenses of senior citizen centers, including utilities and other recurring expenses
;

(ii)

The
continuation or the
expansion of existing
programs or services, or the establishment of new programs or services, provided by or through a
senior citizen
centers to provide programs such as
center including but not limited to
nutrition, health,
mental health, dementia services,
in
‑
home services, socialization or transportation;
or

(iv)

Assistance to income based or income restricted housing facilities within the district that are designated for senior citizens and that are operated by the senior citizen service district or another governmental entity to provide affordable housing to senior citizens within the district. Assistance under this subsection may include maintenance costs and upgrades to address code or safety issues with the income based or income restricted housing facilities.

(c)

Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, any senior citizen service district seeking to expand the services provided by the district using the revenues collected under the tax levy authorized by W.S. 18
‑
15
‑
110 on or after July 1, 2023 shall not provide the additional programs or services until the next time a ballot proposition to impose or renew a mill levy is submitted to the resident electors as required by this chapter. The question of the proposed expansion or addition of district programs and services shall be included as a ballot proposition on the ballot for imposing or renewing a mill levy.

(d)

Between July 1, 2023 and the date on which a district is required to renew a mill levy in accordance with this chapter, a district may designate and provide additional senior citizen service district programs or services under this chapter. The provision of additional programs or services under this subsection shall be in accordance with all of the following:

(i)

Before providing the additional services or programs, the district shall:

(A)

Determine the anticipated expenditures for the proposed additional programs or services;

(B)

Hold a public hearing on the proposed additional programs or services;

(C)

Publish a description of the proposed additional programs or services and the date, time and place of the public hearing not less than one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation in the district and not later than thirty (30) days before the public hearing;

(D)

Maintain a balance of not less than four million dollars ($4,000,000.00) in the account established for the district under subsection (a) of this section at the time the additional programs or services are proposed.

(ii)

The additional programs or services provided under this subsection shall only use existing revenues of the district;

(iii)

The provision of additional programs or services shall cease if the ballot proposition for providing the additional programs or services is not adopted at the election for imposing or renewing a mill levy under this chapter.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2023
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

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