Rep. Ocean Andrew

Maddy summaryHB 151 creates a property tax exemption for nonprofit child care facilities in Wyoming. It directly affects nonprofit organizations operating facilities that care for minors under parental, guardian, or agency request, as defined by state law. The bill adds a new exemption category to Wyoming's property tax code, removing the tax burden on property used exclusively for these child care operations. The exemption became effective July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 237, the "Beer Freedom Act," repeals Wyoming's excise tax on malt beverages (beer), which was $0.005 per liter. This change directly affects beer wholesalers, retailers, and consumers by eliminating the tax on beer sales within the state. The bill amends specific statutes (W.S. 12-3-101(a), 12-2-201(c), and others) to remove the tax requirement, meaning no tax will be collected or reported on beer. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2023, and does not impact taxes on wine or distilled spirits.

Maddy summaryHB 249 allows Wyoming county treasurers to issue temporary 30-day registration certificates and electronic payment proof when vehicle owners pay registration fees online. This directly affects drivers who pay online, providing immediate proof of valid registration while awaiting official license plates and stickers. The bill amends state law to confirm county treasurers' authority to provide this temporary verification. It does not change registration fees or requirements, only streamlining the process for online payments. The change became effective July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryHB 71 creates an annual sales tax holiday during the first weekend in August (Friday 12:01 a.m. to Sunday 11:59 p.m.) when specific items are exempt from Wyoming's sales tax. It directly affects consumers purchasing eligible school-related items, including clothing, computers, school supplies (like pens, notebooks, and backpacks), and school sports equipment. The exemption excludes high-priced items (e.g., clothing over $100, computers over $1,500) and non-eligible goods like jewelry, cosmetics, or items bought for resale. The bill specifies these rules to provide temporary tax relief for back-to-school shopping, effective July 1, 2023.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 109 requires the Department of Revenue to study converting the state's property tax system to one based on a property's purchase price (acquisition value), excluding agricultural and commercial land. The study must assess necessary legal changes, revenue impacts, and ensure the transition would be revenue-neutral in the first year, with valuations applied prospectively only. The department must report findings to the Joint Revenue Committee by September 2022, enabling lawmakers to consider related legislation for the 2023 session. This bill does not change current tax rules but mandates an analysis of potential future reforms.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 81 allows people with disabilities to operate motorcycles with attached wheelchair or assistive devices by amending motorcycle operation rules. The bill removes a previous restriction on handlebar height and explicitly permits attaching assistive devices (as defined in state law) to motorcycles designed for such use. This directly affects disabled motorcycle riders who previously faced equipment limitations. The law took effect on July 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 149 prohibits abortions performed solely because of an unborn child's disability, sex, race, color, national origin, or ancestry. It directly affects health care providers who perform abortions, requiring them to avoid these specific reasons for termination. The bill imposes felony charges (up to 14 years imprisonment), civil liability for wrongful death, and potential license discipline for violations under Wyoming's health licensing laws. It also defines "disability" broadly to include conditions like Down syndrome and "lethal fetal anomaly" as a condition likely causing death within three months of birth.

Maddy summaryHB 135 creates Wyoming's "General Regulatory Sandbox Program," allowing businesses to temporarily test new products or services without full compliance with certain state regulations. It directly affects businesses seeking to innovate in Wyoming by requiring them to apply to the state council for limited, time-bound waivers of licensing or regulatory requirements. Key provisions include mandatory consumer safety assessments, requirements for businesses to maintain operations and records within Wyoming, and council oversight to ensure waivers don't violate federal law or endanger public health. The program aims to support business development while protecting consumers through structured testing protocols.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 138 creates the Hope Scholarship Program, providing state-funded scholarships to eligible Wyoming K-12 students. It directly affects Wyoming residents enrolled in public schools who qualify (e.g., attending public school for 45+ days annually), with funds usable at participating private schools. The program establishes a scholarship account funded through state education appropriations (2% of public school funding or per-student amounts), administered by a nine-member board including state education officials. Funds cover qualifying education expenses, with annual transfers from the state education budget to the scholarship program fund. The bill defines key terms like "eligible recipient" and "participating schools" but does not specify implementation timelines beyond the 2023 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryHB 61 requires the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources to conduct a feasibility study on using carbon dioxide (CO₂) captured from power plants in public works projects. The study must examine potential costs, benefits, project types (like highways and state buildings), CO₂ capture capacity in Wyoming, infrastructure needs, and impacts on other industries, with a December 1, 2022 deadline. The bill appropriates $300,000 from the general fund to fund the study and consultant services, explicitly prohibiting use for university overhead costs. It does not mandate CO₂ use in projects but aims to determine if such a requirement would be feasible before any policy changes. The report will inform future legislative decisions on this potential policy.