Rep. Stan Blake

Maddy summaryHB 251 authorizes Wyoming's legislature to sue Washington state for denying permits for coal export terminals, which Wyoming claims unconstitutionally harms its coal industry. The bill creates a $250,000 "coal export terminal litigation account" to fund legal costs, allowing a joint legislative committee to hire private counsel and pursue damages or declaratory relief. It directly affects Wyoming's coal producers and economy by enabling legal action to address permit denials that the legislature asserts disrupt interstate commerce and state revenue. The bill does not change existing laws but provides specific funding and procedural steps for this lawsuit.

Maddy summaryHB 148 requires Wyoming's five elected state officials and all legislators to annually disclose contracts they have with state entities. Specifically, they must list the business name, address, contract type, and dates for any contract involving a business they financially own (excluding small stock holdings under 1% or minor business interests). This disclosure must be submitted by January 31 each year to the Secretary of State. The bill does not change state spending rules but mandates transparency about potential conflicts of interest in existing contracts. It applies to all state agencies and judicial branches, effective July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 111 authorizes community colleges to offer applied bachelor's degree programs (called "baccalaureate of applied science" degrees) for the first time. It requires the Community College Commission to approve all new such programs before they can receive state funding. The bill also updates the Hathaway scholarship program to cover these new degrees, allowing students to use scholarships for up to eight semesters to complete them while maintaining a 2.25 GPA. This directly affects community college students pursuing applied bachelor's degrees and the colleges offering them.

Maddy summaryHB 55 allows mobile home owners in Wyoming to use a copy of their title instead of the original when transporting their mobile home within the state. The bill amends tax and permit rules to require owners to present a copy of the title (along with proof of tax payment) to the county treasurer before obtaining an over-width permit from the Department of Transportation. This change directly affects mobile home owners who need to move their homes on public roads, simplifying the process by eliminating the need to carry the original title. The law became effective July 1, 2019, and does not alter the requirement to pay annual property taxes for transport permits.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 171 legalizes hemp production and processing by setting a 0.3% THC limit (on a dry weight basis) for hemp and hemp products. It requires licenses for producers and processors (with background checks and $500 annual fees), while allowing unrestricted possession and use of hemp products by all residents. The bill establishes enforcement through annual inspections, corrective action plans for violations, and misdemeanor penalties for intentional breaches. It also mandates a state regulatory plan, authorizes tribal agreements, and repeals conflicting laws.

Maddy summaryHB 212 allows microbreweries and wineries in Wyoming to hold both their existing permits and a manufacturer's license simultaneously. This changes existing rules by removing restrictions that previously prevented these small producers from owning both license types, specifically exempting them from Section 12-5-401's ownership rules. The bill directly affects microbrewery and winery owners who wish to expand production or retail operations under a single business structure, effective July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryHB 243 changes Wyoming driver's license expiration rules by extending the validity period from four to five years. Specifically, licenses now expire on the holder's birthday in the fifth year after issuance (previously the fourth year), and drivers may receive a five-year renewal extension without a test (previously listed as a choice between four or five years) if their license hasn't been suspended in the past five years. These changes apply to licenses issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2019, affecting all Wyoming drivers with new or renewed licenses after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 98 streamlines the process for communications companies (including internet and VoIP providers) to install equipment like fiber optic cables along public roads in Wyoming. It requires companies to first get permission from local authorities (city councils for city roads or state/county officials for highways) before installing infrastructure. The bill defines "communications company" to cover internet-based services and voice over internet protocol (VoIP), clarifying which providers the rule applies to. This change, effective July 1, 2019, updates existing statutes to standardize rights-of-way access without creating new fees or restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 179 establishes a statewide licensing system for food trucks in Wyoming, replacing local permitting requirements. Food truck operators must obtain a $100 annual state license, carry $1 million in general liability insurance, and comply with food safety and fire safety standards. The law prevents cities and counties from imposing additional fees or stricter rules than those set by the state. It directly affects food truck businesses and local governments, excluding ice cream trucks and pushcarts from the definition of "food truck."