Rep. Cyrus Western

Maddy summaryHB 137 requires the Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners to post public notice online for any proposed exchange of state-owned land. It applies to anyone - including government agencies - seeking to swap state land, mandating the Board post notice within 30 days of receiving an application and keep it visible until a final decision is made. The notice must include how the public can access details and submit comments. The law took effect July 1, 2022, with rules to be established by the Board by that date.

Maddy summaryHB 72 allows unsuccessful hunting license applicants in Wyoming to choose whether to donate a portion of their refund to specific wildlife funds. Applicants can elect at the time of application to have their refund deposited into either the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Income Account or the Game and Fish Access Account. The bill requires the department to provide this option on the application form and specifies that administrative costs for these donations will be covered by the trust account. This policy change directly affects hunters who apply for licenses but do not receive them, offering them a voluntary contribution mechanism for conservation funding. The bill became effective July 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryHB 65 clarifies that property tax protest appeals mailed by Wyoming taxpayers are considered timely filed if postmarked by the deadline date (within 30 days of receiving the assessment notice), rather than requiring physical receipt by the county by that date. This directly affects property owners challenging their tax assessments who use mail to submit appeals. The key provision replaces the previous uncertainty about mailing deadlines with a clear, objective standard based on the postmark date. The law became effective July 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryHB 141 appropriates $1.2 million from Wyoming's general fund to the Governor's office for lawsuits challenging state or federal laws that block Wyoming coal exports or cause early closures of coal-fired power plants using Wyoming coal. The funds are specifically for litigation to defend Wyoming's coal industry against legal actions that impede coal exports or force plant shutdowns. The appropriation expires on June 30, 2030, with unspent funds reverting to the state treasury. The Governor and Attorney General must submit annual reports to legislative committees detailing how the funds were used in these lawsuits.

Maddy summaryHB 145 allows hunters and anglers in Wyoming to voluntarily add a $2 or more donation when buying hunting or fishing licenses to support public schools. The bill amends license fee statutes to provide this option on application forms, with funds deposited into the state's common school account within the permanent land fund. It does not require any fee increase but gives license purchasers a choice to contribute directly to school funding. The provision applies to all license buyers (including nonresidents) purchasing licenses through the state's game and fish department. The bill was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2022, but was introduced in February 2022 without further action noted.

Maddy summaryHB 25 exempts certain lodging services provided by licensed guides and outfitters from Wyoming's sales tax. Specifically, it removes the tax on temporary accommodations like tents, snow shelters, base camps, and other temporary shelters used by these licensed businesses. The exemption applies to services distributed through existing tax codes (W.S. 39-15-211(a)(ii)) and covers all forms of temporary lodging they provide. This change directly affects Wyoming-based guide and outfitter businesses operating under W.S. 23-2-407. The bill took effect July 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 1001 prohibits most employers from requiring COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. It allows exceptions only for employers who document that vaccination is critical for workplace safety and provide medical/religious exemptions, along with reasonable alternatives like reassignment or testing. Employers violating the law face $100 daily penalties, and must offer severance pay if employees leave due to non-compliant mandates. The bill specifically addresses healthcare employers and creates a program for antibody testing, while citing staffing shortages as its legislative motivation.

Maddy summaryHB 1001 prohibits Wyoming employers from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition of employment, except in limited circumstances. It mandates employers to provide medical and religious exemptions, offer reasonable alternatives (like reassignment or testing), and pay severance to employees who leave due to non-compliant mandates. The law applies broadly but specifically addresses critical staffing shortages in healthcare, requiring employers to document workplace safety justifications for any exceptions. It also creates programs for employer-funded testing and adjusts worker's compensation to cover vaccine-related injuries.

2021/Summaries/SF0157.pdf

2021/Summaries/HB0159.pdf