Rep. Jim Blackburn

Maddy summaryHB 107 allows courts in Wyoming to terminate parental rights when a child was conceived as a result of sexual assault committed by the parent. The bill specifies that courts do not need to attempt family reunification and automatically accept a conviction (or guilty plea) for sexual assault as conclusive proof. It directly affects parents convicted of sexual assault who fathered children through that crime, and their children. The law took effect on July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryHB 15 (Wyoming) removes the requirement for notarization on certain motor vehicle titles and bills of sale. It directly affects vehicle owners, dealers, and auctioneers during title transfers by eliminating the need for notarized signatures on sale documents. The bill clarifies ownership transfer rules, allowing any owner listed on a title to transfer a vehicle without signatures from other owners unless the title specifies joint tenancy or "and" ownership. This simplifies the process for most title transfers while maintaining existing requirements for lien notifications and tax payments. The changes apply to all motor vehicles requiring a Wyoming title.

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 143 gives judges more discretion in sentencing by allowing them to skip or limit presentence investigation reports for felony defendants. The bill amends Wyoming law to state that courts may dispense with the report requirement or restrict its scope to factors relevant to sentencing, instead of mandating full reports in all felony cases. It specifically maintains the requirement for substance abuse assessments in certain felony cases (like third misdemeanors or felonies) and keeps the cost assessed to the offender. This directly affects felony defendants and courts by changing when detailed pre-sentence reports are needed before sentencing.

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."

Maddy summaryHB 112, introduced in Wyoming in 2019, proposed a change to how electric utilities' service areas are defined. The bill would have amended state law to specify that an electric utility's certificated service area is determined at the point where electricity is delivered to a customer, rather than at another location. This change would directly affect electric utilities and the Public Service Commission, which oversees utility service areas. The bill was introduced but died in committee in February 2019 and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 183 repeals restrictions that previously banned concealed weapons in certain public spaces, allowing permit holders to carry concealed firearms in government meetings, the legislature, and most public schools (with exceptions for specific school district policies under existing law). It establishes that only the Wyoming state legislature can regulate firearms, weapons, and ammunition, preempting local governments from creating their own firearm restrictions. The bill explicitly preserves private property owners' rights to ban firearms on their land and maintains existing prohibitions in courtrooms. This directly affects concealed carry permit holders, local governments seeking to regulate firearms, and school districts managing firearm policies on school property.