Rep. John Eklund

Maddy summaryHB 304 prohibits trespassing on state-leased cultivated cropland for hunting or fishing without authorization from the Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners. It directly affects individuals who enter such land without permission for recreational hunting or fishing activities. The bill adds a new violation to existing law, making this trespass a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $750, up to six months in jail, or both, plus restitution for damages. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 251 creates a new misdemeanor crime for operating a drone below 200 feet over someone else's private property without permission. The bill specifically targets drones weighing 55 pounds or less (including attached items) and prohibits unauthorized flights over private land or residences. Violators face up to six months in jail, a $750 fine, or both. This law directly affects drone operators who fly near homes or private property without the landowner's consent, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 205 creates the Wyoming State Fair Department, transferring all state fair operations - including staff, funding, equipment, and responsibilities - from the Department of Agriculture. The new department will be led by a director appointed by the State Fair Board (with Senate approval), who will manage the annual fair held in Douglas and oversee fairgrounds maintenance. Existing state fair functions, including budgeting for the fair and its grounds, will now fall under this standalone department instead of Agriculture. The bill formalizes this structural change while maintaining the fair's current purpose of celebrating Wyoming's agricultural heritage through competitions and exhibits.

Maddy summaryHB 220 limits new conservation easements in Wyoming to a maximum 30-year duration, effective July 1, 2025, with an option for renewal upon expiration. It directly affects landowners, conservation groups, and government agencies creating or funding new easements after that date, requiring all new agreements to comply with this time limit. The bill amends existing law to prohibit recording or assigning easements exceeding 30 years and prevents state funds from being used for non-compliant easements. Existing easements created before July 1, 2025, remain unaffected by this change.

Maddy summaryHB 175 authorizes the renovation of Wyoming's Veterans Memorial Museum, directly affecting the museum's operations and the state's cultural resources. The bill creates a task force with legislative members, state agency representatives (including the state construction department and military department), and a veteran representative to oversee the project. It appropriates $5 million from the tourism account for the renovation, requiring the task force to monitor progress, provide annual reports to the legislature, and make recommendations to state agencies. The project must be completed by June 30 of the year following its completion, with unspent funds reverting to the state.

Maddy summaryHB 287 requires Wyoming counties to reimburse individuals for legal costs (including attorney fees and bail) when they successfully use self-defense in criminal cases and are found not guilty, have charges dismissed, or are released from prosecution. It also mandates courts to automatically expunge all related criminal records in these cases, removing arrest and prosecution history from public records. The bill directly affects people facing criminal charges who defend themselves, streamlining access to reimbursement and record removal through simplified court petitions with no filing fees.

Maddy summaryHB 183 prohibits foreign governments, businesses, or individuals (defined as citizens of Russia, China, state sponsors of terrorism, or countries under specific arms regulations) from owning most land in Wyoming, allowing only personal residences under one acre. It requires existing foreign owners to sell their land by July 2026 (unless for a qualifying personal residence) and mandates annual registration with the Secretary of State for all foreign land ownership, including personal residences. Owners who fail to register face daily civil penalties of $5,000, and county clerks must report violations to the Attorney General for enforcement, which may include court-ordered forfeiture and sale of the land. The bill also requires tax assessment notices to inform owners about the foreign ownership restrictions and registration requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 182 prohibits payment processors from assigning special merchant category codes to firearm or ammunition retailers, requiring them to be classified as general merchandise or sporting goods retailers instead. This directly affects payment entities (like banks and credit card networks) and firearm retailers who must use standard retail codes. Violations carry a $1,000 fine per violation. The bill does not change gun laws or purchase requirements but modifies payment processing rules, effective July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 174 creates a new Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board to oversee public charter schools statewide. The board, consisting of five members (including the state superintendent and appointees from the governor, Senate, and House), will approve, renew, and oversee charter schools under specific quality standards. The bill modifies how charter schools are authorized (replacing school district oversight with the state board), adjusts funding rules, and requires transparency in decision-making. This directly affects public charter schools, their governing boards, and the state education department as the local education agency.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires subdividers in Wyoming to build and pay for perimeter fences around new subdivisions adjacent to areas where livestock can run freely. It specifies exact fence types (like steel posts with barbed wire or post-and-board designs) that must meet structural standards to prevent livestock escape. Subdividers must include fence plans in permit applications, and future landowners are responsible for maintenance costs. The law directly affects developers creating subdivisions near grazing lands and aims to reduce livestock-related property damage disputes.