Rep. Marilyn Connolly

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Wyoming's sex offender registration law for individuals convicted of certain voyeurism crimes involving minors. It requires these offenders to report their current address in person to their county sheriff annually, instead of just mailing updates. During each annual visit, the sheriff must photograph the offender and send the photo and verification to the state within three days. The law applies specifically to those convicted under Wyoming statutes related to voyeurism with minor victims (e.g., W.S. 6-2-316(a)(i) and (iv)), and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 75 reduces the severance tax rate for surface coal mining from 6.5% to 6% effective July 1, 2025. The bill lowers both the constitutional portion (from 1.5% to 1%) and the statutory portion (from 5% to 4.5%) of the tax. This directly affects surface coal mining companies operating in Wyoming by decreasing their tax burden. The change modifies existing tax distribution rules outlined in Wyoming statutes but does not alter how the tax revenue is allocated to the mineral trust fund or severance tax account.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJ 3) commemorates the 100th anniversary of Nellie Tayloe Ross becoming the first woman governor of the United States in 1925. It formally recognizes her historic achievement and legacy through a symbolic resolution passed by the Wyoming Legislature. The bill has no policy provisions or direct impact on citizens; it serves only as a ceremonial acknowledgment. Wyoming's legislature will transmit copies of the resolution to federal officials as part of the commemoration. This is a purely symbolic measure with no legislative or financial effects.

Maddy summaryHB 329 modifies Wyoming law to give the Office of Homeland Security discretion over whether to cooperate with other states' and federal homeland security agencies (previously required). It mandates that Wyoming's Division of Criminal Investigation must cooperate with the Office of Homeland Security. The bill also authorizes the Office to receive criminal identification and intelligence information from law enforcement for security purposes. These changes directly affect Wyoming's homeland security office, law enforcement agencies, and their coordination with state and federal partners. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

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 summaryHB 251 creates a new misdemeanor crime for operating a drone below 200 feet over someone else's private property without permission. The bill specifically targets drones weighing 55 pounds or less (including attached items) and prohibits unauthorized flights over private land or residences. Violators face up to six months in jail, a $750 fine, or both. This law directly affects drone operators who fly near homes or private property without the landowner's consent, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 326 appropriates $79 million from Wyoming's general fund to remodel the state veterans' home in Buffalo, Wyoming. The bill specifies that federal funds received for veterans' home facilities must first replace general fund spending and then reduce the state appropriation dollar-for-dollar. It sets a total project cost cap of $103.85 million, covering the $79 million state appropriation plus other authorized funds (including federal funds and prior appropriations). The remodeling project must be completed within the allocated budget, with unspent funds reverting to the general fund upon completion.

Maddy summaryHB 253 revises Wyoming's construction lien law by changing the timing for preliminary notice requirements. It requires subcontractors and material suppliers to send a notice within 30 days of starting work on a project (before final payment to the general contractor) to preserve their lien rights. Failure to send this notice will bar lien claims, except when the general contractor failed to provide required information under §29-2-113. The bill affects contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers working on construction projects in Wyoming and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 302 creates legal immunity for government entities when public employees use or fail to use firearms while performing official duties. It amends two statutes (W.S. 1-39-104 and W.S. 21-3-132) to state that governmental entities cannot be held liable for tort claims arising solely from such firearm-related actions. This applies to all public employees, including school district staff carrying firearms on school property as permitted by law. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not change existing firearm laws or create new obligations for employees.

Maddy summaryHB 297 allocates $143.26 million in state funds for wildfire recovery in Wyoming, directly affecting state agencies, private landowners, and communities. It provides $1 million for wildfire suppression contingency, $30 million for emergency fire accounts, and $100 million for restoring vegetation and habitats on private/state lands, plus $10 million for watershed infrastructure repairs. The bill creates a steering committee (with legislative, agency, and industry members) to review grant applications and recommend fund use, bypassing standard grant processes for these wildfire-related projects. All funds are sourced from the general fund, with repayment provisions for prior borrowing and a 2026 termination date for the committee.