Rep. Andrew Byron

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming joint resolution (SJ 8) requests Congress to propose a constitutional amendment allowing states and Congress to establish reasonable limits on money spent to influence elections. It specifically seeks authority to distinguish between natural persons (individuals) and artificial entities like corporations, unions, or AI when setting these limits. The resolution argues that current Supreme Court interpretations equating unlimited spending with free speech undermine political equality, election integrity, and local representation. It does not create new laws but formally asks Congress to initiate a constitutional amendment process to address these concerns.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates over $143 million in state funds to address wildfire impacts in Wyoming from 2024. It provides $1 million for wildfire suppression coordination, $30 million to the state fire suppression account, and $100 million for restoring vegetation, habitats, and public infrastructure on both private and state lands, plus $10 million for water system repairs. A steering committee - including state agency representatives, legislators, and agricultural experts - will review grant applications and recommend fund distribution, with annual reports due until December 2026. The bill directly affects landowners, communities, state agencies, and wildfire-impacted areas by funding immediate restoration and prevention efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the sunset date for allowing Wyoming school districts to hold operating balances and cash reserves up to 30% of their state funding base (instead of the previous 15%), effective through the fiscal year ending June 30, 2028. It requires districts to separately track reserves exceeding 15% and prohibits using these funds for new capital construction (though major building repairs are permitted). The bill directly affects all public school districts in Wyoming by modifying their reserve limits and reporting requirements under state school finance rules. The change aims to provide districts with more flexibility in managing financial reserves while maintaining accountability through specific reporting mechanisms.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 42 creates a new "resort hotel liquor license" category for hotels meeting specific requirements. To qualify, a resort hotel must have a minimum $10 million valuation (including land), include a restaurant, offer at least 35 short-term guest rooms, provide 12-hour daily dining, and have meeting space for 50+ people. The license requires an annual fee between $500 and $3,000, and licensees may not sell alcohol for off-premises consumption except via catering permits. This bill directly affects owners or lessees of large resort hotels seeking to serve alcohol on-site, with provisions taking effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 73 adds "rock climbing" to the list of recreation activities covered under Wyoming's Recreation Safety Act. This change directly affects landowners who allow rock climbing on their property, clarifying that liability protections for landowners apply to this activity. The bill amends existing definitions in two statutes to include rock climbing within the scope of "sport or recreational opportunity" and "recreational purpose." It takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not create new safety requirements - only updates the legal definition.

Maddy summaryHB 45 removes otters from Wyoming's list of protected animals under hunting regulations. This change directly affects hunters and wildlife management by allowing regulated hunting of otters, which were previously protected. The bill amends Wyoming Statute 23-1-101(a)(ix) to delete "otter" from the definition of "protected animal," which previously included species like black-footed ferrets and lynx. The law would take effect on July 1, 2025, if enacted. This is a substantive policy change altering hunting permissions, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summaryHB 170 clarifies when documents filed by nonprofit corporations and statutory trusts in Wyoming become effective. It amends two sections of Wyoming law to specify that documents are effective at the time they are received for filing, as shown by the secretary of state's endorsement date and time on the original document. This procedural change directly affects nonprofit organizations and statutory trusts that file documents with the state. The bill does not alter substantive requirements but updates the legal language to remove ambiguity about effective dates. It takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 153 creates a permanent vehicle registration option for non-commercial vehicles that are 15 years old or older. Owners pay a one-time fee (including an $87.50 state admin fee plus three times the standard annual registration fee) to replace annual renewal, receiving permanent license plates marked "Permanent" with no expiration date. This change applies only to qualifying vehicles owned by individuals, not commercial fleets, and permanently registered vehicles cannot be transferred to new owners - new owners must pay full registration fees. The bill modifies existing registration statutes to implement this system while maintaining annual renewal requirements for all other vehicles.

Maddy summaryHB 178 increases Wyoming employees' time off to vote from one hour to two hours during election hours (polling hours) for primary, general, or special elections to fill a U.S. House of Representatives seat. It ensures employees do not lose pay for this time off when they cast a legal vote, applying to all eligible voters except those with three or more consecutive nonworking hours during polling. The bill modifies existing law (W.S. 22-2-111) to clarify these provisions and takes effect July 1, 2025. This directly affects Wyoming workers participating in federal elections who need to vote during standard work hours.

Maddy summaryHB 204 increases fees for nonresident fishing licenses in Wyoming. It raises the annual license from $100 to $110, the daily license from $12 to $14, and the five-day license from $54 to $60. These changes directly affect out-of-state anglers who purchase fishing licenses in Wyoming. The fee increases will take effect on July 1, 2025.