Rep. J.T. Larson

Maddy summaryHB 96 creates a formal grant program in Wyoming for local governments to apply for funds to reclaim abandoned mine sites. It requires the governor (via the abandoned mine land division) to establish clear application rules, prioritize projects approved by federal authorities (like the U.S. Office of Surface Mining), and process complete applications within 120 days. Local governments and joint powers boards can apply for these grants, and the program mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing grant requests and approvals. The bill does not create new funding but streamlines access to existing federal abandoned mine land funds.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 154 amends the Consumer Rental-Purchase Agreement Act to update rules for rent-to-own contracts, directly affecting consumers and merchants who use these agreements for items like furniture or electronics. The bill requires clear, plain-language disclosures in agreements - such as a mandatory notice in bold type about the right to terminate without penalty - and mandates that merchants provide digital notices with consumer consent. It also adds specific requirements for liability damage waivers, including a clear warning that they are optional and a recommendation to check existing insurance coverage. These changes standardize disclosures, expand digital agreement options, and enhance consumer transparency for rental-purchase transactions.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill (SF 63) creates a property tax exemption for single-family homes. It exempts homeowners from paying tax on any increase in their home's assessed value that exceeds 5% over the previous year's value. The exemption does not apply if the home was recently renovated, added to, or purchased within the last year. Tax assessment notices must now include details about this exemption and how it affects the homeowner's tax bill. The exemption applies starting with the 2024 tax year.

Maddy summaryHB 186 appropriates $40 million from Wyoming's general fund to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline system trust fund, as specified in existing law (W.S. 35-25-506). The funding directly supports Wyoming's 988 suicide prevention hotline operations and is restricted to that purpose. The bill takes effect July 1, 2024, and does not create new policy but provides dedicated financial resources for the existing crisis hotline service.

Maddy summaryHB 206 requires criminal background checks for all personnel directly involved in Wyoming's horse racing and pari-mutuel betting events. It specifically applies to roles like jockeys, trainers, mutuel employees, grooms, farriers, and others with access to restricted areas or wagering systems. The bill mandates that these individuals submit fingerprints for checks through the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation before working at events. This policy aims to prevent individuals with criminal histories from participating in regulated betting activities, as defined by the Wyoming Gaming Commission's rules.

Maddy summaryHB 185 exempts qualifying oil and gas producers from specific severance taxes when using enhanced recovery techniques with Wyoming-sourced carbon dioxide. It provides a 50% exemption on one tax portion and a 100% exemption on another tax portion for production meeting strict criteria, including use of carbon capture technology and Wyoming-origin CO2. Producers must apply for the exemption, and the state must report annual revenue impacts to legislative committees. The exemption expires on July 1, 2032, applying only to production completed before that date. This directly affects oil and gas companies using enhanced recovery methods with in-state CO2.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 106 restricts hemp production and sales by banning the addition of synthetic substances or psychoactive additives to hemp products. It prohibits selling hemp containing more than 0.3% THC (measured via specific testing methods) or any synthetic THC, cannabinoids, or psychoactive analogs. The bill directly affects hemp producers, processors, and sellers in Wyoming, requiring compliance with these limits and mandating department inspections for enforcement. Violations may result in fines, license suspension, or revocation, with specific penalties for exceeding THC limits or using synthetic substances. The law also expands the definition of THC to include naturally occurring forms and psychoactive isomers under state controlled substances regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 95 requires healthcare providers to submit insurance claims directly to insurers instead of shifting this responsibility to patients. It prohibits providers from including terms in patient agreements that force patients to handle claim submissions. If a provider fails to submit a claim properly, they bear the risk of nonpayment and cannot blame the patient. The law applies to all provider-patient agreements for insurance claims starting July 1, 2024. This changes the process for claim handling under Wyoming's insurance code.

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 summaryHB 181 eliminates coroners' authority to conduct inquests for deaths, shifting responsibility for death investigations to county health officers and accident inspectors. It revises statutes related to death reports (W.S. 7-4-201), postmortem examinations (W.S. 7-4-209), and fatal accident investigations (W.S. 30-2-212) to remove coroner involvement. Counties will no longer handle inquest costs through coroners, instead using health officer procedures for cause-of-death certification. The changes take effect July 1, 2024, impacting how death investigations are conducted across Wyoming.