Rep. Cyrus Western

Maddy summaryHB 98 streamlines the process for communications companies (including internet and VoIP providers) to install equipment like fiber optic cables along public roads in Wyoming. It requires companies to first get permission from local authorities (city councils for city roads or state/county officials for highways) before installing infrastructure. The bill defines "communications company" to cover internet-based services and voice over internet protocol (VoIP), clarifying which providers the rule applies to. This change, effective July 1, 2019, updates existing statutes to standardize rights-of-way access without creating new fees or restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 232 requires horse racing permittees in Wyoming to contribute 10% of funds retained from historic pari-mutuel events to a "live event fund." This fund, administered by the pari-mutuel commission, must be used exclusively to enhance purses for live horse racing events at Wyoming tracks. The bill directly affects licensed horse racing venues by redirecting a portion of their historic event revenue toward improving prize money for current live races. It became effective July 1, 2019, though it died in committee before becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 195 modifies Wyoming's insurance code to allow electronic notices for portable electronic device insurance, instead of requiring written notices in certain cases. It specifies that insurers may send electronic notices (with prior agreement from the consumer) for cancellation, with 10-day notice for some reasons and 30-day notice for others. This applies directly to consumers purchasing portable electronic device insurance and their insurers, streamlining communication while maintaining notice period requirements. The bill became effective July 1, 2019, and does not change the definition or scope of the insurance coverage itself.

Maddy summaryHB 147 changes Wyoming law to make foreign language instruction for kindergarten through second grade optional for school districts, rather than mandatory. School districts may choose to offer such programs, but if they do, they must follow state board standards for instruction. This bill directly affects all Wyoming public school districts serving K-2 students. It became effective July 1, 2019, after passing the Education Committee unanimously.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 185 allows Wyoming corporations to issue digital "certificate tokens" instead of physical stock certificates. It directly affects corporations issuing shares and their shareholders, enabling electronic representation of ownership stored on secure databases or blockchain systems. Key provisions define "certificate tokens" to satisfy legal requirements for share certificates, permit electronic transfer using "network signatures" (digital authorization), and specify that tokens must contain standard share information. The bill updates Wyoming law to treat these digital tokens as legally equivalent to physical certificates for all purposes, including transfers and corporate records. It became effective July 1, 2019.

Maddy summaryHB 101 allows joint powers boards (formed by two or more Wyoming municipalities) to create and operate natural gas systems. It directly affects local governments and joint powers entities that want to provide natural gas service, including extending systems beyond city limits. The bill amends Wyoming law to exempt these municipal or joint powers utility systems from certain public utility regulations outlined in Chapter 37. This change became effective July 1, 2019, enabling collaborative infrastructure development for natural gas service.

Maddy summaryThis Wyoming bill exempts sales and use taxes on equipment used to build broadband internet infrastructure in unserved areas. It applies to telecom providers, internet access companies, and video programming services constructing networks where high-speed internet isn't currently available (defined as 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload for residential areas). The exemption covers infrastructure equipment like routers and cables but excludes items sold directly to end-users. Providers may use reasonable methods to allocate equipment costs across service regions instead of tracking exact geographic locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Wyoming's specific statutes (W.S. 35-2-605 through 35-2-617) that governed the confidentiality of medical records for patients receiving hospital or treatment services. It removes state-level restrictions on sharing patient records, though federal laws like HIPAA and substance abuse confidentiality rules (42 C.F.R. part 2) remain in effect. The repeal directly affects hospitals, treatment facilities, and patients by eliminating Wyoming's additional requirements for record disclosure, effective July 1, 2019.