Rep. Lloyd Larsen

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates over $143 million in state funds to address wildfire impacts in Wyoming from 2024. It provides $1 million for wildfire suppression coordination, $30 million to the state fire suppression account, and $100 million for restoring vegetation, habitats, and public infrastructure on both private and state lands, plus $10 million for water system repairs. A steering committee - including state agency representatives, legislators, and agricultural experts - will review grant applications and recommend fund distribution, with annual reports due until December 2026. The bill directly affects landowners, communities, state agencies, and wildfire-impacted areas by funding immediate restoration and prevention efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Wyoming Generational Investment Account (WGIA), a permanent trust fund for state investments. Starting July 1, 2025, it requires annual transfers of $100 million from the legislative stabilization reserve into the WGIA. Funds must be invested to mirror an 85% private equity/15% private credit portfolio, with earnings from each transfer locked in for 30 years. After 30 years, 37.5% of investment earnings from each transfer must be deposited into the state's general fund, while the remainder stays invested in the WGIA. (SF 197)

Maddy summaryHB 299 amends Wyoming's gaming laws to allow the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes (on the Wind River Reservation) to operate online sports betting as "qualified gaming entities," directly affecting these tribes. It modifies geolocation requirements by exempting tribal operators from needing to verify a patron's physical location within Wyoming for wagers made on tribal lands. The bill also adds tribes to the definition of eligible operators and specifies that tribal online betting is not subject to the same location restrictions as other operators. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SF 146) amends Wyoming's Consumer Rental-Purchase Agreement Act to modernize rules for agreements where consumers rent property (like furniture or electronics) with an option to purchase. It directly affects consumers entering these agreements and merchants offering them in Wyoming, including those using digital platforms. Key provisions require clear written disclosures about termination rights and mandatory liability damage waiver disclaimers (printed in bold 10-point type or equivalent digital format), allow agreements to be signed digitally with consumer consent, and define terms like "online presence" and "independent third-party retailer location." The bill also specifies how notices must be delivered (e.g., email with consent) and prohibits misleading terms in waiver contracts. It is currently proposed legislation (introduced January 2025), not yet enacted.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 39 allows vehicle owners to automatically transfer title to a named beneficiary upon death, bypassing probate. Owners complete a beneficiary designation form listing the vehicle details, all current owners, and the beneficiary's name, then sign it. Upon the owner's death, the beneficiary presents the form, proof of death, and a fee to the county clerk to receive a new title - without needing court involvement or the estate's approval. This applies only to vehicles with a properly executed form and does not affect existing liens or ownership interests.

Maddy summarySF 130 expands Wyoming’s existing civil immunity for emergency responders to include mental health crises. It protects licensed healthcare providers, volunteer ambulance/rescue staff (earning under $1,000 annually or per call), hospitals, and trainees who provide emergency mental health assistance in good faith. The immunity applies to acts or omissions during mental health emergencies but excludes gross negligence or willful misconduct. This change takes effect July 1, 2025, and aligns mental health crisis response with existing emergency medical service protections.

Maddy summarySF 143 allows Wyoming state funds to be deposited in credit unions that meet specific requirements, directly affecting the state treasurer, government entities managing public money, and qualifying credit unions. The bill amends state law to require credit unions seeking to hold state funds to apply through the board of deposits, provide financial statements, and maintain security like bonds or mortgages. Credit unions must submit annual financial updates and notify the state if facing regulatory action. This change expands where public funds can be held beyond traditional banks, while maintaining oversight through the state’s board of deposits.

Maddy summaryHB 181 updates rules for prepaid funeral contracts in Wyoming. It allows funeral homes to invest buyer funds in special trust accounts (compliant with existing laws) instead of requiring direct deposits in banks, while clarifying that investment earnings benefit the seller, not the buyer. The bill requires sellers to notify buyers about investment types and risks, and specifies that contracts become irrevocable once funds enter the trust. It also ensures that bond requirements for these funds won’t exceed existing minimums. This directly affects funeral homes selling prepaid services and their buyers.

Maddy summaryWyoming's SF 61 clarifies that carbon dioxide (CO₂) is not considered pollution for the purpose of a property tax exemption. The bill amends a tax code section to explicitly exclude CO₂ from the definition of pollution that qualifies for the exemption, which applies to property used for controlling air, water, or land pollution. This change affects property owners who previously might have claimed tax exemptions for CO₂-related pollution control systems, now making those systems ineligible. The exemption remains available for other pollution control methods, and the Department of Revenue must create rules to implement the change, effective January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 73 adds "rock climbing" to the list of recreation activities covered under Wyoming's Recreation Safety Act. This change directly affects landowners who allow rock climbing on their property, clarifying that liability protections for landowners apply to this activity. The bill amends existing definitions in two statutes to include rock climbing within the scope of "sport or recreational opportunity" and "recreational purpose." It takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not create new safety requirements - only updates the legal definition.