Rep. Reuben Tarver

Maddy summaryHB 208 proposes a severance tax on hydrogen production in Wyoming, directly affecting companies extracting hydrogen from groundwater. The bill imposes a 3% tax on hydrogen from by-product water (as defined in existing law) and a 6% tax on all other hydrogen production, collected annually based on fair market value. It incorporates existing natural gas tax administration procedures for collection, enforcement, and distribution of revenues. The tax would apply to all hydrogen production in Wyoming starting July 1, 2024, if enacted. Note: The bill failed introduction on February 14, 2024, and did not advance.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 174 creates a new Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board to oversee public charter schools statewide. The board, consisting of five members (including the state superintendent and appointees from the governor, Senate, and House), will approve, renew, and oversee charter schools under specific quality standards. The bill modifies how charter schools are authorized (replacing school district oversight with the state board), adjusts funding rules, and requires transparency in decision-making. This directly affects public charter schools, their governing boards, and the state education department as the local education agency.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes shed antlers and horns from big game animals found on Wyoming public lands the property of the state, not private individuals. It requires the Game and Fish Commission to establish specific collection seasons, with residents allowed to begin collecting three days before nonresidents. The rules must minimize disturbance to big game populations in areas west of I-90 (from Montana to Buffalo) and west of I-25 (from Buffalo to Colorado). This directly affects hunters and outdoor enthusiasts who collect shed antlers on public lands.

Maddy summaryHB 103 modifies Wyoming election rules for voters changing political party affiliation. It clarifies that voters can submit a written request to change or cancel their party affiliation at any time except during the prohibited period before primary elections. The bill specifies deadlines for submitting applications (filed with county clerks before primary nomination deadlines for primaries, or 14 days before general elections), and states that requesting a partisan primary ballot automatically declares current party affiliation. This affects all Wyoming voters who wish to change their party registration for upcoming elections.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 172 requires state investment managers and trustees to consider **only financial factors** when managing state funds, such as retirement systems and government accounts. It prohibits considering social, political, or environmental goals (like climate action, diversity initiatives, or gun industry divestment) as part of investment decisions. The bill mandates that investment entities and their fiduciaries provide written commitments to follow this rule, restricts proxy voting to outside advisors who comply, and requires annual public reporting of voting records. This directly affects the Wyoming Retirement System, state treasurer, and all investment managers handling state funds.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 180 requires the state veterinarian to notify livestock owners within three days when an animal tests positive for brucellosis. It mandates the Wyoming Livestock Board to create a communication protocol sharing test results with affected livestock producers, veterinarians, and brand inspectors in the same county. The bill also specifies that adjacent landowners, local veterinarians, and owners of potentially exposed animals may receive limited information to manage disease outbreaks. These changes amend existing statutes to standardize reporting and notification procedures for brucellosis, directly affecting livestock owners and veterinarians in Wyoming.

Maddy summaryHB 229 allows Wyoming's Department of Revenue and county treasurers to collect sales and use taxes electronically. It updates tax filing rules to explicitly permit vendors (businesses selling taxable goods/services) and taxpayers to submit returns and pay taxes online or via electronic methods, rather than only by mail or in person. The bill specifically clarifies that county treasurers may accept electronic payments for vehicle registration taxes during initial registration. It does not change tax rates or obligations, only modernizing the payment process for existing requirements. This affects all businesses collecting sales tax and individuals purchasing taxable items in Wyoming.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 143, the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, creates education savings accounts (ESAs) providing $6,000 annually per eligible student (adjusted for inflation) to cover qualifying education expenses. It directly affects Wyoming residents who are K-12 students not yet graduated, allowing parents or guardians to use ESA funds for private school tuition, online learning, tutoring, textbooks, technology, and other approved educational costs. The state treasurer administers the program, disbursements occur monthly, and funds come from a dedicated state account - not local taxes - with excess funds transferred to the school foundation program if balances exceed $30 million. Qualified schools (non-governmental, non-discriminatory) are explicitly not considered state or federal agents under this program.

Maddy summaryWyoming's HB 154 creates a permanent vehicle registration option for non-commercial vehicles that are 11 years old or older. Owners pay a one-time fee (including an $87.50 state administration charge plus five times the standard annual registration fee) instead of renewing annually. The permanent registration cannot be transferred to a new owner; if sold, the new owner must pay full standard registration fees. This change took effect July 1, 2023, and applies only to qualifying non-commercial vehicles.

Maddy summaryHB 174 removes the $20,000 value limit on homestead exemptions for Wyoming homeowners. This bill directly affects residents who claim homestead exemptions, allowing properties of any value to be protected from creditors. The key provision amends Wyoming's civil procedure code (W.S. 1-20-101) to eliminate the previous cap, meaning homeowners can now shield the full value of their primary residence. The change takes effect July 1, 2023. This is a straightforward policy update to the homestead exemption law, with no additional provisions or complex mechanisms.