Rep. Charles Pelkey

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 173 creates a dedicated court supervised treatment program account to fund court-referred treatment services, such as substance abuse or mental health programs. The bill ensures all interest earned on funds in the account stays within it, and the state Department of Corrections uses these funds to support eligible programs while keeping department implementation costs under 10% of total funding. This account provides continuous, dedicated funding for treatment programs without requiring annual legislative appropriations. The law took effect on July 1, 2019, directly affecting the Department of Corrections and the court-supervised treatment programs it administers.

Maddy summaryHB 234 would allow individuals convicted of marijuana-related felonies before July 1, 2019, to petition courts to reduce those convictions to misdemeanors if they completed time served equal to the new misdemeanor maximum. It directly affects people with past felony convictions for marijuana possession, use, or related offenses under Wyoming law. The bill creates a streamlined court process requiring no hearing for eligible petitions, and would restore civil rights lost due to those past felony convictions. It does not change current marijuana laws or penalties for future offenses, only addressing retroactive relief for pre-2019 convictions.

Maddy summaryHB 315 amends Wyoming's drug forfeiture law to exempt certain property from seizure and forfeiture. It specifically protects homesteads (per Wyoming's homestead laws), motor vehicles valued under $2,500, and cash amounts of $1,000 or less. The bill also prohibits seizing money, securities, or negotiable instruments solely based on possession without evidence of a drug law violation. These changes directly affect property owners and law enforcement by limiting when assets can be taken in drug-related cases. The bill was introduced in 2019 but did not advance beyond committee.

Maddy summaryHB 217, the Wyoming Camping Act, removes an existing ban on overnight camping on state lands. It repeals Section 36-2-107(b)(v) of Wyoming law, which previously prohibited such camping. The change allows campers to stay overnight on state lands without restriction, effective July 1, 2019. This directly affects outdoor recreation users accessing Wyoming's state-managed lands.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a system where people on probation or parole in Wyoming can earn credits for consistently complying with their supervision terms. For each full month they meet all conditions without violations or absconding, their probation or parole term is reduced by 30 days. Credits are lost if a violation report is filed, if they abscond (deliberately avoid supervision), or if their supervision is revoked. The Department of Corrections and Board of Parole must establish rules for implementing this system and notify individuals of their remaining supervision time.

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 86 simplifies probate for property passed through family lines by creating a "summary distribution" process. It allows heirs or beneficiaries to directly claim property inherited through previous family members' estates without full court oversight, using a new definition of "distributee." The bill sets limits on creditor claims against distributed property and requires court decrees to be recorded as proof of ownership. This applies to property distribution cases filed after July 1, 2019, streamlining the process for qualifying heirs.

Maddy summaryHB 94 prevents construction contracts in Wyoming from including clauses that require one party to cover the other for the contractor's own negligence or intentional mistakes. It allows contracts to require specific insurance (like project protection coverage) but voids provisions shifting liability for the contractor's own actions. This affects contractors and property owners signing construction agreements, making certain liability clauses unenforceable. The law took effect July 1, 2019, for new or renewed contracts.

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.