Rep. Lee Filer

Maddy summaryHB 268, the "People's Parking Act," requires Wyoming cities and towns to obtain voter approval before implementing or expanding paid parking meters or zones. It mandates that local governing bodies must hold a majority vote of qualified electors (similar to bond issue elections) for any paid parking initiative, with ballot language specifying proposed locations. This applies to all existing, planned, and future paid parking systems starting July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects municipal governments and residents who use public streets for parking, changing how local authorities can fund parking infrastructure through user fees.

Maddy summaryHB 56 requires Wyoming cities and towns to mail notice of proposed zoning changes to affected landowners. Specifically, it mandates that cities send written notice by mail to all landowners within the proposed zoning district and all landowners within 1,000 feet of that area. The bill covers zoning changes including new zoning requirements, conditional use approvals, master plan amendments, and zoning map revisions. This requirement applies to all zoning change applications filed on or after July 1, 2025. The bill does not alter zoning standards but ensures affected landowners receive advance notice of changes impacting their property.

Maddy summaryHB 213 requires landlords in Wyoming to ensure all residential rental units have operational electrical, heating, plumbing, and hot/cold running water, removing a prior exception that allowed written agreements to waive this requirement. This directly affects landlords and tenants in standard residential rentals across Wyoming, effective July 1, 2025. The bill eliminates the ability for landlords to bypass utility maintenance through written agreements, mandating these basic amenities as standard. Seasonal rentals like summer cabins remain exempt, as specified in the amended law.

Maddy summaryHB 308, the Cryptographic Frontiers Act, requires Wyoming's Attorney General to investigate federal actions that allegedly violate the rights of Wyoming residents or businesses related to blockchain and cryptocurrency. It specifically targets federal overreach involving debanking, restrictions on crypto-related free expression, unreasonable searches of digital assets, demands for private keys, and burdens on intrastate crypto transactions. If the Attorney General determines federal actions endanger these rights, they may file lawsuits or intervene in existing cases - after obtaining the Governor's approval. The bill directly affects Wyoming residents and businesses facing federal actions in these areas, creating a new state-level legal mechanism to challenge such actions. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 203 ("By the People Act") requires Wyoming state agencies to provide live audio or video access to public meetings where possible and allow remote public participation. It mandates clear public comment periods (with timed options specified on agendas) and requires agencies to make meeting minutes and recordings available online within 24 hours. The bill applies directly to all state agencies holding public meetings and ensures transparency by prohibiting restrictions on public recording unless it would disrupt the meeting. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not change existing requirements for meeting notice or attendance rules.

Maddy summaryHB 261 amends Wyoming's penalties for "accessory after the fact" (helping a criminal after a crime is committed). It creates three penalty tiers: 1) For non-violent felonies where the accessory is not a relative (3 years max jail or $3,000 fine), 2) For violent felonies (same as above), 3) For non-violent felonies when the accessory is a relative or the principal is a minor (6 months max jail or $750 fine). The bill directly affects individuals who assist criminals post-crime, with lighter penalties for family members or minors involved. It is pending legislative action and would take effect July 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summaryHB 127 amends Wyoming law to create a legal defense for perpetrators charged with violating a domestic violence protection order. Specifically, if a victim requests the perpetrator to violate the order, that request becomes an "affirmative defense" in court. This change directly affects individuals accused of breaching protection orders in domestic violence cases. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not alter existing protections for victims.

Maddy summaryHB 187 amends Wyoming's theft penalties to increase sentencing for certain offenses. It raises the felony threshold for most property theft from $500 to $1,000 (while keeping firearms/horses at $500), and increases misdemeanor penalties for lower-value thefts. Repeat offenders (fifth or subsequent theft convictions) face felony charges with up to 10 years in prison, $10,000 fines, or both. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of theft, shoplifting, or related property crimes under Wyoming law. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 325, the "Industrial Power Consumption Freedom Act," allows large-scale industrial power users in Wyoming (defined as those with annual demand of at least 1 megawatt-hour) to directly purchase electricity from any provider, not just their local utility. Key provisions require electricity to be consumed solely on-site for commercial/industrial use, prohibit resale to other customers, and mandate that providers notify the state commission about agreements. The bill exempts these direct procurement arrangements from standard utility rate regulation and service territory rules, though transmission costs for other customers remain regulated. This policy change aims to give large industrial facilities more flexibility in sourcing power while maintaining service obligations for other utility customers.

Maddy summaryHB 155 requires hospitals, health care clinics, and long-term care facilities receiving state funds to report monthly workplace violence incidents starting August 2025. Facilities must track specific details including the perpetrator's identity (e.g., patient, staff, or visitor), contributing factors (like mental health issues or long wait times), incident types (physical assault, threats, or discrimination), victim job roles, and exact locations. The Department of Workforce Services will compile these reports and submit an annual summary to a legislative committee by October 2026. This bill creates a standardized data collection system to identify patterns and inform future safety measures, without mandating new workplace safety standards.