Rep. Lane Allred

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 142 requires public utilities to offer coal-fired power plants for sale specifically for carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS) projects. The bill establishes rules for selling carbon dioxide streams (e.g., for enhanced oil recovery), mandates bonding to cover future decommissioning and cleanup costs, and sets definitions for key terms like "carbon capture customer" (oil/gas companies using CO2 streams). It aims to make captured carbon dioxide available for industrial use while preventing rate hikes for electricity customers. The law also requires studies and reports on implementation, targeting coal plant operators and oil/gas industry stakeholders directly affected by the new requirements.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 253, the "Credit Card Defense Act," requires merchants selling firearms or ammunition in the state to use a "sporting goods" merchant category code for all transactions, instead of codes specifying firearms. Financial institutions, credit cards, and payment processors must not collect or generate personally identifying information beyond this category code for such purchases. The law directly affects firearm retailers, banks, and payment processors handling these transactions in Wyoming. It mandates that all relevant financial institutions adopt this coding standard by July 1, 2023, to limit transaction data collection related to firearm purchases.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment (SJ 12) would create a separate property class for residential real estate in Wyoming’s tax system. It freezes the valuation of most residential property as of January 1, 2019 (or construction cost for homes built after 2019), requiring property taxes to be based on that fixed value until an addition/improvement is made or ownership transfers after 2025. The amendment would also allow the legislature to adjust this base value for inflation. It requires voter approval to become part of Wyoming’s constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 176 limits the number of K-12 content standards Wyoming schools must teach, capping at four per subject for grades K-6 and eight per subject for grades 7-12. It allows school districts to use course completion (like passing a class) instead of standardized tests to measure student performance in some cases. The bill requires districts to report on their assessment systems and directs the state to propose reducing testing by August 2023, potentially using college entrance exams to meet federal requirements. This directly affects Wyoming public schools, teachers, and students by changing curriculum expectations and assessment methods.

Maddy summaryHB 77 modifies Wyoming's definition of "average daily membership" (ADM), the metric used to calculate state school funding. It lowers the threshold for counting part-time students as full-time from 80% to 75% of a full-time schedule, allowing districts to include more part-time students in funding calculations. The bill clarifies that part-time enrollment is prorated based on actual hours attended versus full-time hours, and excludes students absent over 10 consecutive days or withdrawn. This change directly affects school districts receiving state education funding starting with the 2023-2024 school year.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill prohibits state and local governments from enforcing "extreme risk protection orders" (ERPOs), which are court orders that temporarily restrict firearm access to prevent harm. It blocks the use of state funds or personnel to implement ERPOs and preempts any local laws conflicting with this prohibition. Violating this ban is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a $2,000 fine. The bill cites constitutional rights - including the Second Amendment and due process protections - as justification for its provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 168 allows licensed custom exempt meat processors in Wyoming to sell their products directly to consumers at retail. This affects small meat processing facilities that already operate under specific federal exemptions (9 C.F.R. 303.1) for processing carcasses for individual customers. The bill creates a new law (W.S. 35-7-128) explicitly permitting these processors to offer retail sales without needing additional permits. The change takes effect July 1, 2023, enabling local producers to sell directly to shoppers while maintaining existing inspection standards.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 192 requires all public school districts to provide daily lunch to every enrolled student starting in the 2023-2024 school year. It creates a state financial assistance program covering up to 50% of unpaid meal costs from the previous school year, funded by $150,000 in state appropriations (with $75,000 available annually). School districts must apply by September 30 each year, charge a state-determined minimum meal price, and report program details to the education department. The law directly affects all Wyoming public school districts and their students, with funds administered by the state education department through a new rulemaking process.

Maddy summaryHB 151 creates a property tax exemption for nonprofit child care facilities in Wyoming. It directly affects nonprofit organizations operating facilities that care for minors under parental, guardian, or agency request, as defined by state law. The bill adds a new exemption category to Wyoming's property tax code, removing the tax burden on property used exclusively for these child care operations. The exemption became effective July 1, 2023.