Rep. Scott Heiner

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 summaryHB 200 imposes a new excise tax on electricity generation within Wyoming, collected by electric utilities from customers based on the "purchaser sales price" (the full price paid for electricity, including fees and taxes). It specifically repeals existing taxes on wind and nuclear energy generation while creating new tax rules for all other electricity sources. The bill requires utilities to collect and remit the tax, with detailed provisions for tax calculation points (e.g., at transmission interconnection or customer meters) and strict confidentiality protections for tax data. This directly affects Wyoming's electric public utilities and their customers who pay for electricity.

Maddy summaryHB 61 requires Wyoming school districts to submit detailed annual reports to the state education department about funding and activities related to "covered programs," defined as initiatives addressing diversity, equity/inclusion (DEI), political/social activism, or divisive social issues. School districts must report employee roles/salaries tied to these programs, budget allocations, training sessions for staff and students, disciplinary actions, and supporting policies. The state department must make all submitted data publicly searchable on its website. The bill also prohibits school districts from requiring staff or students to use pronouns inconsistent with biological sex. This focuses on transparency around program funding and implementation, not on advocating for or against specific policies.

Maddy summaryHJ 8 is a proposed constitutional amendment (not yet enacted) that would prohibit Wyoming's state government and all local entities (counties, cities, towns) from imposing any "carbon tax." The bill defines a carbon tax broadly as any tax, fee, or penalty based on the carbon content of products, electricity, fuels, or emissions from their use. If approved by voters, it would prevent the state or local governments from levying taxes tied to carbon usage or emissions. This is a procedural resolution seeking constitutional change, not a current law, and is still in early legislative stages (received for introduction in February 2024).

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 210 repeals a requirement that banks and credit unions include specific disclosures on the face of checks and other payment instruments. The bill removes language from three statutes (W.S. 1-15-102, 13-1-701, and 40-14-505) that defined "financial institution" and mandated these disclosures. This directly affects Wyoming-based banks, credit unions, and out-of-state banks with Wyoming branches, eliminating a longstanding check-disclosure rule. The change takes effect July 1, 2024, streamlining banking regulations without altering other financial services.

Maddy summaryHB 49, the "By the People Act," requires state agencies in Wyoming to provide live remote audio or video access to public meetings where practicable. It mandates that agencies make meeting recordings and minutes available online for at least five years, sets clear rules for public comment periods (including timed or reasonable time limits), and prohibits restrictions on public broadcasting of meetings unless disruption is reasonably expected. This bill directly affects all state agencies holding public meetings by standardizing digital access and documentation. It takes effect July 1, 2024, with no current legislative action beyond initial introduction.

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 156 establishes a legal presumption in Wyoming court decisions about children's best interests: it is conclusively not in a child's best interest to undergo gender transition or reassignment procedures. The bill defines prohibited procedures to include certain surgeries (like hysterectomy or orchiectomy), mastectomies, and specific hormone treatments (such as puberty blockers or supraphysiologic hormone doses), while excluding care for children with medically verified conditions like disorders of sex development or central precocious puberty. This presumption applies to family court cases involving custody, adoption, visitation, and protection orders. The bill amends multiple Wyoming statutes to incorporate this standard, affecting court rulings on minors' care.

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers Wyoming's minimum age requirement for obtaining a concealed firearm permit from 21 to 18 years old. It amends Section 6-8-104(b)(ii) of the Wyoming Statutes to allow 18-year-olds to apply for permits, directly affecting young adults seeking concealed carry authorization. The bill repeals a conflicting provision (W.S. 6-8-104(j)) and takes effect July 1, 2024. It makes no changes to permit issuance procedures or other eligibility criteria beyond the age adjustment.

Maddy summaryHB 192 grants permanent right-of-way access (a "perpetual easement") for county and municipal roads that already exist on Wyoming state or school lands, specifically those established before January 1, 2024. It directly affects counties, cities, and towns responsible for maintaining these roads, requiring no fees for the easement. Key provisions include deadlines for documentation (by August 1, 2024, and April 1, 2029) and rules for securing the easements through the Board of Land Commissioners. Roads built after January 1, 2024, do not automatically receive this easement under the bill.