Rep. Scott Heiner

Maddy summarySF 119 creates a new property tax exemption for non-agricultural real estate in Wyoming. It exempts value above last year's taxable amount plus the county's median household income growth (capped at 3% annually). Property owners who purchased their property in the prior calendar year are excluded from the exemption. Tax assessment notices must now clearly show if this exemption applies to a property. The exemption begins for 2024 property taxes.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 59 prohibits discrimination against individuals based on their vaccination status, mask-wearing, or COVID-19 testing results. It bans businesses and service providers from denying access to public services, goods, or facilities - like restaurants or retail stores - because someone is unvaccinated, not wearing a mask, or refuses testing. The law also prevents businesses from advertising requirements for masks, vaccines, or testing as a condition for service. Violators face civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, and affected individuals can file lawsuits to seek this compensation. The bill directly impacts businesses serving the public, ensuring equal access regardless of health-related choices.

Maddy summaryHB 211 changes how property tax assessments work for certain real property by establishing a rebuttable presumption that acquisition value (what a property was purchased for) should be used instead of market value for tax calculations. It directly affects property owners and tax assessors dealing with properties classified under W.S. 39-13-103(b)(iii)(C), typically commercial or industrial properties. The bill removes confidentiality rules for sworn statements about these properties, making them public records accessible to anyone contesting tax assessments, and prohibits criminal penalties for disclosing them. This shifts transparency in property tax disputes by prioritizing purchase price data over market value for specific property types.

Maddy summaryHB 177 prohibits natural asset companies from operating in Wyoming. These companies, defined as SEC-recognized entities managing natural or agricultural lands for conservation, are barred from managing any federal, state, or private land within the state. The bill also stops conservation easement holders from using these companies via credits and bans the state treasurer from investing in them. It takes effect July 1, 2024, directly impacting natural asset companies, conservation groups using such structures, and state financial decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 202 requires individuals receiving Wyoming unemployment benefits to undergo weekly rapid drug testing under the Wyoming Controlled Substances Act. It disqualifies recipients from benefits if they fail a test and fall into specific categories: those recently employed by companies with approved drug-testing programs, those seeking jobs requiring drug tests (e.g., licensed occupations), or those targeting "extrahazardous" work. Employers may receive credits or refunds for unemployment contributions paid for disqualified employees. The bill mandates rulemaking by the Department of Workforce Services and takes effect July 1, 2024, with immediate implementation for certain sections.

Maddy summaryHB 115 requires blood donation centers to ask donors if they've received a COVID-19 or mRNA vaccine during their lifetime. Blood from vaccinated donors must be clearly labeled, and in non-emergency situations, transfusion recipients can request blood based on the donor's vaccination status if available. The bill applies to blood collectors, donation centers, and patients receiving transfusions. It takes effect July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 160, the "Protect Firearms Rights Act," prohibits Wyoming state and local governments from implementing or enforcing extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), which are court orders restricting firearm access for individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. The bill directly affects Wyoming residents who might otherwise be subject to such orders, while explicitly excluding existing protection orders (e.g., domestic violence orders) and mental health hospitalization orders from this prohibition. Key provisions include preempting conflicting local laws, banning state/local use of funds or personnel to enforce ERPOs, and defining ERPOs to exclude specific existing legal mechanisms. The law takes effect July 1, 2024, and is currently in the introduction stage (received February 12, 2024).

Maddy summaryHB 159 prohibits unauthorized fees for advising on veterans benefits, directly affecting veterans seeking benefits and third-party advisors (like claim assistants). The bill requires written fee agreements meeting federal standards, mandates clear disclosures that free government services exist (including Wyoming Military Department and county agencies), and bans guarantees of specific benefit outcomes or pre-disagreement fees. It also prohibits excessive fees and requires advertising disclosures about free alternatives. Violations are treated as deceptive trade practices under Wyoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 161 amends Wyoming law to change how vacancies in county commissioner seats, other county elected offices, and state legislature positions are filled. If a county board fails to appoint a replacement within the required timeframe, a qualified voter can petition the district judge to fill the vacancy. The judge must appoint one of three qualified candidates submitted by the county central committee, or, if the committee fails to provide names, a person from the same political party as the previous officeholder (or any qualified person if no party was represented). This process applies to all affected offices starting July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 217 directs how Wyoming can use leftover federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPD) to address pandemic-related needs. It specifies funding allocations for state agencies, including $10 million for workforce programs, $22 million for outdoor recreation grants, $35 million for transportation communications systems, and $13 million for health department staffing. The bill sets conditions for spending these funds, requires reporting on their use, and ensures unspent ARPD funds revert to the federal government. It primarily affects Wyoming state agencies and local governments receiving these funds for pandemic recovery efforts.