Rep. Stan Blake

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 191 allows residents to request a medical alert designation on their driver's license or state ID card, indicating they have a medical condition requiring special attention during emergencies. The bill does not require disclosure of specific medical details - only a standardized alert marker will appear on the card. It affects all Wyoming drivers and ID cardholders who choose to request this designation during application or renewal. The law amends licensing procedures to include a checkbox for this request and provides mechanisms to add or remove the alert on replacement cards. This is a procedural change that went into effect July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryHB 240 exempts drivers operating irrigation district vehicles from Wyoming's commercial vehicle licensing and regulatory requirements when used solely for operating or maintaining irrigation infrastructure. The bill specifically covers vehicles driven for tasks related to headgates, canals, laterals, ditches, pipelines, and reservoirs. This exemption applies to irrigation district employees performing routine facility maintenance and operations, removing a layer of administrative burden for these specific duties. The policy change was intended to take effect July 1, 2019, though the bill did not advance beyond committee.

Maddy summaryHB 206 regulates video skill games in Wyoming by requiring vendors to obtain permits from the Liquor Division. It directly affects video game vendors (who must pay $5,000 for initial permits), qualified truck stops (the only allowed locations meeting specific size and service requirements), and local governments (which receive 4% of vendor revenue). Key provisions include setting a $2 maximum bet per play, $1,500 payout limit per play, and requiring games to return 88-95% of revenue over time. Vendors must also conduct background checks, submit game compliance reports, and place machines only in designated truck stops or businesses with existing licenses. The bill establishes a fund for administrative costs and mandates monthly revenue distribution to counties and municipalities based on population.

Maddy summaryHB 123 establishes Wyoming's first state licensing board for naturopathy practitioners. The bill requires all naturopaths practicing in Wyoming to hold a license, which mandates graduation from an accredited naturopathic program, passing a national exam (NABNE), and meeting board-set standards. It creates a five-member board with specific qualifications (including practicing naturopaths and healthcare professionals) to oversee licensing, enforce practice standards, and handle disciplinary actions like license suspension. This directly affects current and future naturopathy practitioners in Wyoming, requiring them to comply with state licensing rules starting January 1, 2020, to legally use titles like "naturopathic doctor" or practice.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 95 requires auto insurers to disclose when using non-original manufacturer parts in vehicle repairs and ensures those parts meet the same quality, fit, and performance as original parts. Insurers must clearly identify aftermarket parts on repair estimates and provide written notice in bold text to claimants about the use of non-original parts. Vehicle owners can request original manufacturer parts but must pay any additional cost if they choose them over equal-quality aftermarket options. The law, effective July 2019, enforces these requirements through Wyoming's Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Maddy summaryHB 104 requires all freight trains operated in Wyoming to have a minimum crew of two people, applying to trains moving freight but excluding hostler service or railroad utility employees. Violations result in fines starting at $250 for a first offense, increasing to $5,000-$10,000 for repeat offenses within three years. The law, effective July 1, 2019, directly affects railroad companies operating freight trains within Wyoming. It establishes specific penalties to enforce the crew size requirement without altering broader railroad operations.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 152, the Underground Facilities Notification Act, requires construction planners and contractors to identify and mark underground utility locations (like gas lines or water pipes) before excavation. It directly affects contractors, engineers, and utility operators by mandating pre-excavation checks at no cost to utility companies, pre-marking of excavation areas, and specific emergency protocols if damage occurs (e.g., calling 911 for gas leaks). For government projects over $750,000 in public rights-of-way, it adds requirements for pre-design meetings with utility operators. The bill also specifies that hand-digging or "soft digging" must be used near utilities to prevent damage and clarifies that compliance doesn’t eliminate liability for negligence.

Maddy summaryHB 116 requires vehicle manufacturers in Wyoming to pay new dealers for labor and parts costs related to vehicle preparation, warranties, and incentives within 30 days of claim approval. If a claim isn't denied in writing within 30 days, it's automatically approved. Manufacturers may audit claims for up to one year (or four years if fraud is suspected) to correct errors but cannot delay payment beyond the 30-day deadline. The bill directly affects new vehicle dealers and manufacturers, taking effect July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 228 requires the Department of Transportation and Game and Fish Department to study wildlife-vehicle collisions on highways and wildlife deaths along specific railroad corridors (near U.S. Highway 30). The bill mandates collecting data on accident locations, injuries, animal deaths, and injury locations from 2019-2023, then creating priority maps and lists of high-risk areas. It appropriates $5 million for wildlife safety projects like signage, crossings, and fences on identified highways, with projects requiring local matching funds (5-30% depending on the entity). This directly affects drivers, wildlife conservation efforts, and communities along Wyoming highways and railroads, focusing on reducing collisions through data-driven infrastructure improvements.

Maddy summaryHB 76, the Wyoming Beer Freedom Act, allows microbreweries to obtain permits for 24-hour alcohol service. It amends licensing laws to permit microbreweries to hold both a microbrewery permit and a separate 24-hour malt beverage permit simultaneously. This directly affects small breweries seeking extended operating hours without losing other license types. The law, effective July 1, 2019, modifies existing statutes to enable this dual permitting structure.