Rep. Tom Walters

Maddy summarySF 115 prevents insurance companies from restricting how dentists bill patients for dental services. It prohibits insurers from requiring dentists to combine separate procedures into one bill (bundling) or reclassify complex procedures as simpler, lower-cost ones (downcoding). The bill also allows dentists to bill patients directly for services not fully covered by insurance, provided they first inform patients about limited coverage, obtain written consent, and provide a copy of that consent to the insurer. These changes apply to all dental insurance contracts issued, renewed, or delivered in Wyoming on or after July 1, 2023.

Maddy summarySF 150 allows individuals with valid enhanced concealed carry permits to carry concealed firearms on public areas of Wyoming's state capitol grounds, including the connection to the Herschler building. It requires permit holders to notify the Wyoming State Highway Patrol at least 24 hours before entering the capitol with a firearm and restricts carrying to public areas only, excluding private or restricted spaces. The law would take effect on July 1, 2023, but only if Senate File 149 (a separate bill) is enacted. This bill does not change general concealed carry laws outside the capitol grounds.

Maddy summaryHB 136 modifies Wyoming's rules for state capital construction projects by removing a requirement that public works contracts must first be offered to Wyoming residents. The bill allows state agencies to award contracts to nonresident contractors when no qualified resident contractor is available for the specific work. It clarifies definitions of terms like "capital construction project," "renovation," and "routine maintenance" to ensure consistent application of the new rules. These changes directly affect state agencies managing public building projects and contractors bidding on construction work for state facilities. The law takes effect July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 114 amends Wyoming's state land leasing rules to make them more flexible and clear. It increases the amount lessees can spend on improvements without permission from $2,000 to $4,000 per land section, extends maximum lease terms from 75 to 99 years, and explicitly allows residential leases for the first time. The bill also requires all leases to follow minimum state standards for safety and land use, and clarifies that lessees must get approval for improvements exceeding $4,000. This directly affects individuals and businesses leasing Wyoming state lands for farming, ranching, or residential development.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 149 creates an "enhanced concealed carry permit" that requires applicants to show proof of recent firearm safety training (within one year), such as completion of a certified course (NRA or Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy) or active peace officer employment. This permit, available to residents 21 or older, includes specific training requirements covering firearm fundamentals, live-shooting qualification, and legal aspects of firearm use. The bill mandates that Wyoming's Attorney General notify other states by July 1, 2023, to seek reciprocity for this enhanced permit. It does not change existing concealed carry rules but aims to improve interstate recognition of Wyoming's enhanced permits. The bill takes effect July 1, 2023, with rulemaking required by the same date.

Maddy summaryHB 202 creates a Wyoming community college loan program to cover costs for students pursuing aviation degrees and commercial pilot certificates at Wyoming community colleges. It directly affects Wyoming residents or high school graduates enrolled in eligible aviation programs who commit to working as airline pilots in Wyoming for three years to avoid repaying the loan in cash. Key provisions include requiring applicants to seek federal aid first, limiting loans to tuition/certification costs minus other aid, and allowing debt forgiveness for undue hardship. The program is funded by a $1.5 million state appropriation for 2023-2026, with repayment options deferred for military service.

Maddy summaryHB 91 sets minimum and maximum annual salary ranges for specific county officers in Wyoming, effective January 2, 2023. It directly affects county assessors, part-time county/prosecuting attorneys, county clerks, clerks of district court, sheriffs, and treasurers. The bill requires these officers to receive at least $10,000 per year but no more than the salary authorized for a district court judge (per W.S. 5-1-110). It also repeals outdated salary language in the existing statute.

Maddy summaryHB 55 exempts airports in Wyoming counties outside incorporated cities or towns from a rule limiting retail liquor licenses within five miles of city limits. Normally, such counties could issue no more than three retail liquor licenses in that 5-mile zone, but airports are now allowed to operate liquor sales without counting toward that cap. The bill directly affects airports seeking liquor licenses in rural or unincorporated areas, removing a barrier to serving alcohol on-site. It became effective July 1, 2022, and makes no other changes to liquor licensing rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the December 31, 2022 expiration date for certifications allowing businesses to operate greater sage grouse game bird farms in Wyoming. It directly affects owners of these farms by making their certifications permanent, eliminating the need for renewal. The bill maintains existing rules requiring forfeiting birds if certification is revoked and prohibits reimbursement claims for birds held at expiration (which no longer occurs under this change). The policy change became effective July 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts certain after-school programs in Wyoming from requiring full child care facility certification. It applies to programs operating primarily when school is out (before/after school, summer), exclusively serving school-aged children, and focused on educational/recreational activities - while still following local health and safety codes. The exemption became effective July 1, 2022, and directly affects qualifying after-school programs that meet all four specified criteria. It simplifies regulatory requirements for these specific programs without altering broader child care standards.