Rep. Tony Locke

Maddy summaryHB 288 allows cities, towns, counties, or school districts in Wyoming to directly serve as the governing board for public recreation systems (like parks and facilities) instead of appointing a separate board. If a local government acts as the board, it is exempt from certain appointment rules under existing law. The bill also requires joint recreation systems (managed by multiple governments) to include at least one representative from each participating entity. It takes effect on July 1, 2025. (Bill: HB 288)

Maddy summaryHB 328 sets a fixed 8.3% taxable value rate for owner-occupied primary residences in Wyoming, while maintaining a 9.5% rate for all other property types. It directly affects homeowners who live in their primary residence for at least six months annually, clarifying that this includes single-family homes, condos, mobile homes, and trailers used as primary homes. The bill defines "owner occupied primary residence" and "residential real property" (including up to 35 acres of associated land) to ensure consistent tax application. This change will take effect for property taxes beginning in 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 130 creates a property tax exemption for Wyoming homeowners, providing a 50% reduction on the first $200,000 of a primary residence's value (e.g., a $300,000 home would have $100,000 exempt). It applies to single-family homes where owners live at least 8 months yearly (including military members with service-related absences), directly affecting homeowners who qualify. The state will reimburse local governments for lost tax revenue using a $176 million appropriation from the general fund, with payments distributed to counties and school districts. The exemption expires after the 2026 tax year, ending January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 278 (Wyoming bill) requires county clerks to publicly test voting machines before elections and make these tests accessible to the public. It mandates posting public notices 5 days before testing (or 24 hours before re-tests), allowing political party representatives and the public to observe accuracy checks and counter resets. The bill removes the previous presumption that machines were properly prepared, instead requiring documented testing that verifies counters start at zero and accurately count votes. These changes apply directly to Wyoming county clerks and election officials managing voting systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a 36.5-mile segment of US Highway 16 in Johnson County (between mile markers 52.47 and 89) as the "USMC CPL Seth Rasmuson Memorial Highway" to honor a Marine Corps corporal. It authorizes the Wyoming Department of Transportation to install appropriate signage and appropriates $3,000 from the general fund for this purpose, with funds expiring June 30, 2026. The bill has no policy impact beyond naming the highway segment and installing commemorative signage.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 124 would require employers to verify the immigration status of potential employees before hiring and report unauthorized workers to law enforcement. It mandates that law enforcement officers ask about immigration status during detentions and notify federal agencies when encountering unauthorized aliens. The bill also requires verification of lawful presence for individuals applying for state or local public benefits (excluding emergency medical care and disaster relief). These provisions directly affect employers, law enforcement agencies, and immigrants seeking public benefits or employment in Wyoming. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee with a recommendation for amendment.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming constitutional amendment (SJ 10) clarifies that taxation and spending authority belongs solely to the state legislature and governor (executive branch), not the courts. It allows the legislature to delegate local taxing power to counties/cities (with elected officials serving ≤4-year terms) and delegate routine debt payments to the executive branch, with courts enforcing these tasks. For public school funding, it requires the legislature to create a judicially reviewable funding formula, but the appropriation amount itself cannot be challenged in court. If funding falls short, school spending would be reduced uniformly across all districts. The amendment must be approved by voters to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 128) removes the sales tax on electricity sold by public utilities for domestic, industrial, or commercial use in Wyoming. It directly affects all electricity consumers, including households and businesses, by eliminating a tax they currently pay on their electricity bills. The key mechanism is amending Wyoming’s tax code (W.S. 39-15-103 and 39-15-105) to create a specific exemption for electricity sales. The change takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a "Residential Property Tax Reduction Account" to fund property tax refunds for Wyoming homeowners. It directly affects primary residence owners who paid property taxes in the prior year, capping refunds at $13,300 per household. Key mechanisms include funding the account from unappropriated general fund balances (exceeding 5% of projected receipts) and mineral trust earnings, with refunds paid proportionally if funds are insufficient. Refunds will begin for 2025 taxes in 2026, with even years capped at half the account balance and odd years using the full balance. The program defines "primary residence" as where a homeowner lived at least six months of the tax year.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 197 limits fees that local governments can charge developers to fund affordable or workforce housing. It caps these fees at 4% of construction costs (or less based on impact studies), exempts the first 3,000 square feet of single-family homes and 1,750 square feet of multi-family units, and prohibits fees for agricultural land subdivisions. Developers must receive written fee notices within 30 days and can request a detailed, individualized explanation of the fee calculation from local authorities. The law applies to all cities, towns, and counties issuing land use permits for residential or commercial projects.