Rep. Cyrus Western

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 214 creates a "regulatory sandbox" program allowing businesses to temporarily test new products or services without complying with certain state laws or regulations. It directly affects innovators (like tech startups or new service providers) with a physical presence in Wyoming, requiring them to apply to the state council for approval. Key provisions include mandatory applications detailing consumer benefits, risks, and specific regulations sought to be waived, along with strict safeguards to protect consumer safety and ensure no federal law conflicts. The council coordinates with state agencies to approve waivers only for demonstrably safe, consumer-benefiting innovations during a limited testing period.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 255 allows the Game and Fish Commission to formally designate tax-exempt nonprofits (501(c)(3) organizations) as "official nonprofit partners." These partners must include a commission member on their board (nonvoting), provide annual donor and spending reports, and focus on supporting department priorities. Partners may accept donations and manage funds for specific projects but cannot use public money, and the state will not be liable for their actions. The bill creates clear requirements for these partnerships and mandates rulemaking by the commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJ 9) proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Wyoming's Constitution that would establish a fundamental right to privacy for all residents. It would create a new Section 40 in Article 1 stating: "The right of individual privacy is essential to the well-being of a free society and shall not be infringed." The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election to become part of the state Constitution. As a proposed constitutional change, it does not take effect immediately but would directly affect all Wyoming citizens if approved by voters.

Maddy summaryHB 141 would have changed Wyoming's rules for voters changing political party affiliation. It would have allowed voters to file a written request to change their party affiliation at any time (except during prohibited periods), rather than requiring specific deadlines for primary or general elections. The bill amended sections of state law to clarify that voters must declare their party affiliation to receive a partisan ballot, with different filing deadlines depending on whether it was for a primary election or general election. These changes would have directly affected Wyoming voters seeking to switch party registration before elections. (Note: This bill died in committee and did not become law.)

Maddy summaryHB 168 allows licensed custom exempt meat processors in Wyoming to sell their products directly to consumers at retail. This affects small meat processing facilities that already operate under specific federal exemptions (9 C.F.R. 303.1) for processing carcasses for individual customers. The bill creates a new law (W.S. 35-7-128) explicitly permitting these processors to offer retail sales without needing additional permits. The change takes effect July 1, 2023, enabling local producers to sell directly to shoppers while maintaining existing inspection standards.

Maddy summaryHB 254 creates new rules for nonresident fishing guides operating commercial boats in Wyoming. It requires these guides to obtain an annual $1,000 permit decal for their boats, submit application details including boat identification, and display the decal prominently. The bill also increases fees for nonresident fishing licenses and imposes penalties (including a low misdemeanor charge) for guides operating without the required decal. This directly affects nonresident guides offering paid fishing services in Wyoming, with the permit system taking effect January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 202 creates a Wyoming community college loan program to cover costs for students pursuing aviation degrees and commercial pilot certificates at Wyoming community colleges. It directly affects Wyoming residents or high school graduates enrolled in eligible aviation programs who commit to working as airline pilots in Wyoming for three years to avoid repaying the loan in cash. Key provisions include requiring applicants to seek federal aid first, limiting loans to tuition/certification costs minus other aid, and allowing debt forgiveness for undue hardship. The program is funded by a $1.5 million state appropriation for 2023-2026, with repayment options deferred for military service.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 247 prohibits the intentional waste of edible portions from trophy game animals (like elk or deer) and bans possessing parts of wasted animals. It requires hunters to transport and properly care for carcasses within 48 hours of harvest, and forbids abandoning meat at processing plants for more than 45 days without agreement. Processing plants must report abandoned meat to wildlife authorities, and confiscated meat may be sold to cover storage costs after a conviction. The bill directly affects hunters and meat processing facilities, taking effect 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 187 prohibits male students from competing on teams designated for female students in Wyoming public and private schools that compete against public schools. It defines "sex" as biological sex at birth and requires schools to designate teams as male-only, female-only, or coed. The bill also establishes a process for the state board of education to determine eligibility exceptions for students seeking to participate on teams inconsistent with their sex assigned at birth, based on physical characteristics and other factors. This provision is contingent on court rulings invalidating prior related laws, as specified in the bill. The law directly affects K-12 students and school athletic programs across Wyoming.