Rep. Dalton Banks

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Wyoming legislature to sue in court to protect the state's interests in federal land management laws, including the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and others. It allows the legislature or its management council to initiate lawsuits with a majority vote, using up to $75 million in state funds appropriated from the general fund. The funds must be spent by June 2028 for legal actions challenging federal land use policies within Wyoming. The bill creates a formal process for the legislature to seek court rulings on federal law interpretations affecting state rights.

Maddy summaryHB 9 prohibits counties, cities, and towns in Wyoming from requiring licenses, permits, or other authorizations for businesses operated by minors under 18 years old. It also exempts "occasional" businesses (defined as not habitual or regular activities) from local licensing requirements. The law amends existing statutes to clarify that local governments cannot impose such fees or restrictions on minor-operated businesses or infrequent commercial activities. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 187 amends Wyoming's theft penalties to increase sentencing for certain offenses. It raises the felony threshold for most property theft from $500 to $1,000 (while keeping firearms/horses at $500), and increases misdemeanor penalties for lower-value thefts. Repeat offenders (fifth or subsequent theft convictions) face felony charges with up to 10 years in prison, $10,000 fines, or both. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of theft, shoplifting, or related property crimes under Wyoming law. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 252 repeals a three-year tax exemption for new wind energy production in Wyoming, effective immediately upon enactment. It directly affects new wind energy projects by removing a tax break previously available for the first three years of operation. However, wind turbines that began generating electricity for sale before the bill's effective date will retain the exemption under the repealed provision. The bill makes no changes to existing wind energy operations but alters tax treatment for future projects.

Maddy summaryHB 45 creates a property tax exemption for single-family homes in Wyoming, directly affecting homeowners with residential structures. The exemption covers increases in a home's value above 5% of the previous year's assessed value, meaning homeowners pay tax only on growth exceeding that threshold. However, the exemption doesn't apply if the value increase comes from new construction, additions, or if the property was purchased in the prior year. The law requires tax assessment notices to include exemption details and applies to tax years starting January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 103 (Wyoming PRIME Act) allows producers to sell meat products directly to consumers in Wyoming from animals they raised, slaughtered, and processed on their own property or at a custom slaughter facility. The bill requires clear warning labels stating the meat is uninspected, prohibits resale or donation, and mandates producers to disclose their animal health and processing standards. Sales cannot begin until the governor certifies that federal law permits such sales - either through new federal legislation or a court ruling invalidating federal bans. The law takes effect July 1, 2024, pending this federal certification.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 100 requires insurers and their intermediaries to pay pharmacies within 21 days for electronic pharmacy claims and 30 days for non-electronic claims, provided the claim is "clean" (complete with all required documentation). If payment isn't made on time, insurers must pay 18% annual interest. The bill defines "clean claims" as those without deficiencies, mandates insurers to notify pharmacies of missing information within 10-15 days, and prohibits insurers from charging pharmacies fees for payment processing. This applies to all pharmacy benefit contracts and takes effect July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 141 requires Wyoming's land board to verify if oil and gas lease applicants meet defined qualifications before issuing new leases on state lands. If the highest bidder is unqualified, the board must consider the next highest bid instead. Unqualified applicants face a civil penalty equal to their bid amount, recoverable by the attorney general. The law applies only to new leases and does not affect existing agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 93 increases Wyoming's reimbursement limit for livestock quarantine costs from $25,000 to $50,000 per single quarantine event under the state's animal reimbursement program. The bill directly affects livestock owners and the Wyoming Livestock Board, which administers these payments. It also establishes that payments will stop when the unexpended account balance reaches $100,000 or less, resuming once the balance exceeds that amount. The changes apply to quarantine efforts starting July 1, 2024, and adjust existing provisions in Wyoming Statute 11-19-118(d).

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 103 sets the property tax assessment ratio for residential property at 8.3% of fair market value, while maintaining a 9.5% rate for all other property types. This bill directly affects residential property owners by changing how their property taxes are calculated based on assessed value. The key provision amends Wyoming statutes to establish these specific assessment percentages for tax calculation purposes. The bill's effective date (January 1, 2025) is contingent on voters approving a related constitutional amendment in the 2024 general election.