The Wyoming House Education Committee unanimously approved House Bill 199, known as the “Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act,” on Wednesday, Gillette News Record reports.
The measure, which aims to establish a universal school voucher program, now moves to the House floor for further debate despite questions regarding costs, accountability, and constitutional compliance.
House Bill 199 builds upon Wyoming’s existing education savings account (ESA) program, which currently offers financial assistance to income-qualified families for pre-K, homeschooling, or private school tuition. The new proposal would allocate up to $7,000 per student for K-12 education expenses, regardless of family income, and remove several existing requirements, including state assessments and provider certification by the Department of Education.
“This bill is about loosening restrictions and making school choice universal,” said Rep. Ocean Andrew, R-Laramie, the bill’s primary sponsor.
Andrew cited programs in Utah and Arizona as models for Wyoming.
Critics of the bill raised concerns about its impact on public education funding and potential misuse of state resources.
Brian Farmer, Executive Director of the Wyoming School Boards Association, warned that the program could cost the state approximately $45 million annually.
“The fiscal consequence of funding the voucher program is that it has the potential to create a structural deficit,” Farmer said.
Tate Mullen, Government Relations Director for the Wyoming Education Association, echoed concerns about accountability.
“Waste, fraud, and abuse are much higher for these programs than any of our other social welfare programs,” Mullen argued.
He called the bill costly, ineffective, and unconstitutional.
Opponents also pointed to the Wyoming Constitution, which prohibits state funding for private or parochial schools and financial aid to individuals except in cases of need.
Proponents of the bill highlighted the importance of parental involvement in education and argued that the program empowers families to make the best educational choices for their children.
“We recognize the importance of parents making decisions for their children’s education,” said Tyler Lindholm, state director for Americans for Prosperity Wyoming and a former lawmaker.
Aaron Gillum, Policy and Advocacy Director for the national organization EdChoice, claimed that concerns about budget shortfalls and fraud in states with similar programs were exaggerated. He emphasized the demand for school choice in Wyoming.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Megen Degenfelder supported universal access to education funds but advocated for reinstating the pre-K component, provider certification, and testing requirements.
Rep. Martha Lawley, R-Worland, proposed amendments to address some of these concerns, but the motions failed on tie votes.
“There are strong voices on both sides of this issue,” Lawley said.
She expressed hope that further amendments would address accountability concerns and ensure fiscal responsibility.
Despite these setbacks, the committee voted 9-0 to advance the bill, with unanimous support from Republican Reps. Andrew, Lawley, Laurie Brattan, McKay Erickson, Joel Guggenmos, Tom Kelly, Daniel Singh, Tomi Strock, and JD Williams.
The bill must pass three readings in the House before proceeding to the Senate for consideration.
