Rep. Tom Walters

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 111) creates a new felony offense for intentionally administering medical procedures, drugs, or agents to change the sex of a child under 18. It directly affects minors under 18, their medical providers, and parents/guardians regarding certain medical treatments. Key exceptions include medical care for intersex conditions diagnosed before age 4, treatment for ambiguous genitalia at birth, and care for traumatic injuries or life-threatening conditions - excluding psychological or emotional issues. Consent from the child, parents, or guardians is not a valid defense against this offense. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 124 imposes a tax on electricity produced from wind and solar resources in Wyoming for sale or trade. It directly affects wind and solar electricity producers who sell power within the state, requiring them to pay a tax per megawatt-hour at the point where electricity connects to transmission lines. Producers must report their annual electricity output by February 1 each year. The tax applies to solar electricity sold after January 1, 2024, while existing wind electricity production tax rules remain in effect. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2023.

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 summaryHB 148 amends Wyoming law to allow commercial airports with retail liquor licenses to contract with other businesses for food and beverage services - including liquor sales - without transferring the license. The bill specifies that alcoholic beverage sales may only occur in the terminal building and connected concourses where passengers transfer between aircraft. This change provides airports with greater flexibility in managing concession operations while maintaining location restrictions on liquor sales. The law takes effect on July 1, 2023.

Maddy summarySF 65 repeals a law that paid local registrars for processing vital records (such as births, deaths, and marriages) in Wyoming. It requires all payments owed under the repealed law to be made before the bill's effective date. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law, ensuring existing payment obligations are fulfilled. This directly affects local registrars who handled vital records registration under the previous compensation system.

Maddy summarySF 7 amends Wyoming's definition of "opiate antagonist" to explicitly include naloxone hydrochloride (marketed as Narcan) and other FDA-approved medications for treating opioid overdoses. This clarifies which substances qualify under the existing Emergency Administration of Opiate Antagonist Act, ensuring consistency for first responders and healthcare providers. The change takes effect July 1, 2023, and does not create new requirements or funding. The bill solely updates terminology in current law without altering enforcement or access provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wyoming's financial institution approval process to prevent customer confusion. It requires new banks or credit unions to choose names that don't closely resemble existing institutions in the same county or state. The key change adds a specific naming criterion to the approval standards, effective July 1, 2023, directly affecting applicants seeking state licensing.

Maddy summarySF 8 authorizes Wyoming's Department of Health to provide essential subsidy payments to behavioral health centers and other eligible service providers. These payments help cover operating costs for services to priority populations, but providers must demonstrate a need for operational cost assistance as determined by department rules. Payment amounts are based on the geographic area's population served and the number of service needs within a 35-mile radius, subject to available funding. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 122 extends temporary vehicle registration options for nonresident workers employed in the state. It allows nonresident employees to purchase a temporary permit ($50 per month, max 180 days) instead of full registration, provided their vehicle already displays valid out-of-state plates and insurance. The permit must be visibly displayed and replaces the need for standard registration fees, with collected funds going to county general funds. This directly affects nonresident workers driving vehicles registered in other states.

Maddy summaryWyoming's Senate Joint Resolution 7 (SJ 7) is a symbolic resolution expressing legislative support for the relationship between Wyoming and Taiwan. It reaffirms Wyoming's commitment to strengthening economic ties, educational cooperation, and Taiwan's participation in international organizations like the WHO. The resolution directs Wyoming's Secretary of State to send copies to U.S. officials, Wyoming's congressional delegation, Taiwan's leadership, and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or alter policy but formally states Wyoming's position.