Rep. Danny Eyre

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 171 legalizes hemp production and processing by setting a 0.3% THC limit (on a dry weight basis) for hemp and hemp products. It requires licenses for producers and processors (with background checks and $500 annual fees), while allowing unrestricted possession and use of hemp products by all residents. The bill establishes enforcement through annual inspections, corrective action plans for violations, and misdemeanor penalties for intentional breaches. It also mandates a state regulatory plan, authorizes tribal agreements, and repeals conflicting laws.

Maddy summaryHB 243 changes Wyoming driver's license expiration rules by extending the validity period from four to five years. Specifically, licenses now expire on the holder's birthday in the fifth year after issuance (previously the fourth year), and drivers may receive a five-year renewal extension without a test (previously listed as a choice between four or five years) if their license hasn't been suspended in the past five years. These changes apply to licenses issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2019, affecting all Wyoming drivers with new or renewed licenses after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 183 repeals restrictions that previously banned concealed weapons in certain public spaces, allowing permit holders to carry concealed firearms in government meetings, the legislature, and most public schools (with exceptions for specific school district policies under existing law). It establishes that only the Wyoming state legislature can regulate firearms, weapons, and ammunition, preempting local governments from creating their own firearm restrictions. The bill explicitly preserves private property owners' rights to ban firearms on their land and maintains existing prohibitions in courtrooms. This directly affects concealed carry permit holders, local governments seeking to regulate firearms, and school districts managing firearm policies on school property.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wyoming election code to clarify procedures for voters changing political party affiliation. It allows voters to change their party affiliation at the polls on election day (for general elections) or when requesting an absentee ballot, in addition to the existing 14-day advance filing requirement before primaries. The change must be noted on the poll list by election judges, but voters cannot switch parties between two weeks before absentee voting begins and primary election day. It directly affects Wyoming voters seeking to alter their party affiliation before casting a ballot. The bill took effect July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 175 revises the state's Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Act to clarify coverage rules and financial responsibilities. It creates new definitions (like "covered policy" and "member insurer"), sets a $5 million annual premium cap for multiple non-group life insurance policies owned by one person, and updates eligibility requirements for policyholders based on residency and insurer domicile. The bill directly affects licensed insurers operating in Wyoming, policyholders with multiple high-value policies, and health maintenance organizations. Key changes include clearer limits on the association's financial obligations and revised procedures for assessing member insurers.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 108 exempts public utilities (like electricity, gas, or water providers) from civil liability for property damage caused by wildfires or other natural disasters ("acts of God"), unless the utility was negligent, reckless, or intentionally caused the event. The bill specifically covers economic losses, such as disruptions to essential services, but excludes cases where the utility's negligence directly caused the damage. It clarifies that this exemption overrides conflicting parts of Wyoming's existing Governmental Claims Act. The law, effective July 1, 2019, codifies pre-existing common law regarding utility liability for natural disaster-related damages.